Next Wave of New Discovery Place Exhibitions Revealed

THEM exposes the millions of organisms living in and on the human body Science Buzz highlights science in the news

March 09, 2010

Opens Saturday, March 13

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Meet “them” – the millions of unseen residents that call the human body home – as Discovery Place unveils THEM on Saturday, March 13, the latest in a series of new and original exhibitions resulting from the largest renovation in the Museum’s history. Also premiering is Science Buzz, a multimedia exploration of science in the news.

THEM gives visitors an inside, microscopic look at the plethora of bacteria, microbes, parasites and other microorganisms that inhabit the human body and helps develop an appreciation for the importance these unseen inhabitants play in our health.

“Ninety percent of the cells in and on our bodies are not our own,” said John Mackay, president and CEO of Discovery Place, “they belong to them. It’s a startling statistic but it helps illustrate the incredible number of organisms that live within us and the amount of activity they produce. We want to help our guests understand the impact and importance of these almost invisible residents.”

Presented by Carolinas Medical Center, THEM provides an opportunity for Museum-goers to explore the vast diversity of microbes that live in and on the human body, to understand the benefits that these microorganisms provide to human health and to understand the delicate balance between us and them. Visitors also are introduced to the ways in which human behavior can impact – positively and negatively – the microbial make-up of their bodies.

Guests entering THEM encounter an alien landscape that offers intriguing visual and hands-on opportunities to learn about the microbiota that play a vital role in how their own bodies function. Visitors can touch three-dimensional sculptures of microorganisms, view live bacteria samples through a microscope, or use a hand-held microscope to explore their skin, hair and clothes. An original video, produced in partnership with the national Centers for Disease Control, cleverly explores antibacterial resistance while several state-of-the-art Microsoft surface tables let players engage in virtual battles between their native bacteria and invading bacteria, trying to keep the invaders from latching on to their computer-generated intestinal wall. Visitors additionally can expand their inner-body experience by taking in the new show “Today’s Special” at The Stage. Learning, laughs and lactobacillus abound as a French chef reveals the bacteria and other microorganisms necessary to create commonly-enjoyed foods.

“We are excited to continue to unveil new experiences that give our guests an in-depth look at contemporary topics in science,” said Mackay. “One of our main goals with the complete replacement of the Museum’s exhibitions is to increase the relevancy of the experiences at Discovery Place to real-world issues. THEM provides a foundation in microbiology that is necessary for understanding current human health concerns.”

Delve deeper into current topics in science at Science Buzz, a series of interactive stations throughout the Museum that bring online, audio, video, graphic and artifact components together to create discussion around contemporary topics. Science Buzz stations offer up–to-date science content from around the world; at opening, the stations will highlight forensic investigation, infectious diseases, nanotechnology and global climate change. Science Buzz at Discovery Place is presented by WSOC-TV, Channel 9.

After visiting Discovery Place, visitors can continue the discussion through the award-winning Science Buzz website (www.sciencebuzz.org) produced by the Science Museum of Minnesota and the National Science Foundation.

THEM and Science Buzz are the latest original, new exhibitions introduced as a result of the $31.6 million renovation of Discovery Place and follow the recent debuts of KidScience, Discovery 3D Theatre, Cool Stuff and Explore More Stuff. The THEM exhibition was made possible in part by an advisory board** of North Carolina professors, physicians and researchers.

“We can’t wait to reveal all the rest of the exhibitions that are in development,” said Mackay. “Between now and June, when the renovation concludes, stay tuned for more new exhibitions and experiences as we complete the transformation of Discovery Place.”

About Discovery Place
Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon Street. Convenient parking is available in the Museum’s parking garage - the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex - at the corner of Sixth and Church Streets. For more information about Discovery Place, call 704-372-6261 or visit discoveryplace.org.

One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage the public in the active exploration of science and nature. More than a half-million people from all over the United States visit Discovery Place, its IMAX Dome Theatre and Charlotte Nature Museum each year. Discovery Place is supported, in part, with a Basic Operating Grant from the Arts & Science Council.

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THEM Advisory Board Members **

Dr. Farah K. Bahrani-Mougeot, CMC Cannon Research Center
Dr. Verna Case, Davidson College
Dr. Valery Grdzelishvili, UNCC Biology Department
Dr. Jim Horton, CMC Internal Medicine-Main
Dr. Michael Hudson (deceased), UNCC Biology Department
Gail Jones, NCSU
Dr. David Wessner, Davidson College

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