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December 15 2005

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Todd Scott - Himmelrich, Inc.
410-528-5400
Todd@Himmelrich.com

Maryland Science Center Awarded $1.3 Million

The Maryland Science Center has been awarded a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) grant for $1.3 million to develop Cellular Universe: The Promise of Stem Cells, an exhibit on the current science of cell biology and stem cell research, announced Van Reiner, president and chief executive officer.

Cellular Universe will feature a walk-through cell environment with interactive features, activities, and programming that explains cell biology and structure, the clinical research process, and the bioethics and controversy that surrounds stem cell research.

The exhibition is a collaboration between the Maryland Science Center, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland Baltimore, and Morgan State University.

Cellular Universe will become the fourth component of the Maryland Science Center’s human health initiative, which includes BodyLink, a health science update center, Your Body: The Inside Story, an exhibit that explores physiology during a day in the life of the body, and WetLab, a functioning open-access laboratory where visitors can perform scientific experiments.

“This grant will help the Maryland Science Center to fulfill its mission of making science accessible and fun.” noted Mr. Reiner. “It will also help us to provide the general public with a resource for learning about the latest developments in health and life science.”

Science Education Partnership Awards (SEPA) are designed to raise awareness and understanding of life sciences by funding the creation of exhibits and programs in science centers and museums throughout the country. These grants bring together researchers, educators, community groups, and other interested organizations in partnerships to create and disseminate programs that give students, teachers and the general public a better understanding of life sciences.

The mission of the Maryland Science Center is to stimulate and cultivate awareness, interest, and understanding of science through educational programming. It is located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, and visited by more than 500,000 people each year.

Popular exhibits at the Maryland Science Center include Dinosaur Mysteries which features more than a dozen full-size dinosaurs and interactive paleontology activities, the five-story St. John Properties IMAX Theater, and dozens of interactive experiments in Newton’s Alley. Other popular attractions in the museum include the Kids Room and the world-famous Davis Planetarium.

The Maryland Science Center is located at 601 Light Street at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. For information and tickets, visit www.marylandsciencecenter.org or call the 24-Hour Information Line at 410-685-5225, TDD: 410-962-0223.

The Maryland Science Center at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is visited by more than 550,000 people each year. Popular exhibits include: Dinosaur Mysteries which features more than a dozen full-size dinosaurs and interactive paleontology activities, an exploration of the day in the life of the human body in Your Body: The Inside Story, and add... dozens of interactive experiments in Newton’s Alley. Other popular attractions in the museum include the Kids Room, the five-story St. John Properties IMAX Theater, and the world-famous Davis Planetarium.