"If a Starfish Can Grow A New Arm, Why Can't I?"

New exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center explores the world of Tissue Engineering

Open as of October 2009

See stem cells magnified up to 500x!

A new permanent installation at the Carnegie Science Center takes learning about tissue engineering to a whole new level! Headed by Joan Schanck of the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative (PTEI) and funded by a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA), the multifaceted exhibit not only explores cell biology and the science of tissue engineering, but also looks at TE therapies of today and tomorrow, as well as the ethical issues surrounding the science.

Seamore, an animated starfish, guides visitors through several interactive kiosks. Highlights include interactive microscopes and puzzles, a cell structure diorama, animation, video interviews with tissue engineering patients and scientists in the field, and even a quiz that addresses ethical questions.

Directing stem cells to help repair a heart injury!

The Partnership in Education collaborated with PTEI to create “Dr. Allevable’s Laboratory,” a kiosk with three video games that lets visitors interact with stem cells inside the body and direct them to grow new tissue. 

The video games are re-creations of the laboratories and characters in the planetarium shows “Dr. Allevable’s Unbelievable Laboratory: Bone and Heart” and “Regenerobot and the Robot Science Fair,” both created by PTEI and the Partnership in Education. Players can interact in the lab while helping the characters work with stem cells. Both planetarium shows are available for viewing upon request.

• Visit the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative to learn more about this innovative exhibit!
• Read a review of the exhibit featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.