Pathways

Framing New Pathways to Medical Discovery

Our five-year SEPA grant from the National Institutes of Health is funding new programs and activities in cutting-edge bioscience at Arizona Science Center. Learn about the latest health science discoveries through in-house lab experiences, gallery demonstrations, family-friendly talks, school-based outreach programs and more.

Body Depot Lab Space

Set within the Center’s All About Me biological galleries, the Body Depot serves as the focal point for many New Pathways to Medical Discovery activities, including gallery lab experiences and lecture series. In addition, it offers hands-on table-top activities such as exploring how a microscope works.

Body Depot Gallery Lab Experiences

FIELD TRIP LABS: During field trips, students can participate in one of the following 45-minute, hands-on, facilitated lab experiences: Busy Bones, Monster Manual, Venom, and Nano Latch-n-Catch. Teachers must reserve labs through the Reservations Department when setting up the field trip. Contact Reservations at 602.716.2028 or email reservations@azscience.org at least two weeks in advance. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

FAMILY LABS: Gallery labs (Busy Bones, Monster Manual, Venom and Nano Latch-n-Catch) are offered on a rotating basis to families, on Saturdays and Sundays, at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Please call ahead to find out which lab schedule matches the date of your visit. No reservations necessary and labs are free with general admission to Arizona Science Center.
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    Busy Bones

    In this inquiry-based exploration of cow bones, participants learn that there’s a lot going on inside the body’s busy bones. Ask a biologist for even more in depth information about Busy Bones!

    Grades 2 – 6

    DOWNLOAD PRE-VISIT PDF

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    Monster Manual

    Students get a chance to decode the patterns in life’s instruction manual as they create colorful monsters. Ask a biologist for even more in depth information about Monster Manual!

    Grades 2 – 3

    DOWNLOAD PRE-VISIT PDF

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    Nano Latch ‘n’ Catch

    Nano Latch-n-Catch: Participants identify key features that distinguish between cell types and then create specialized nanoparticles that seek and destroy diseases.

    Grades 2-6.

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    Venom!

    Participants learn the critical nature of protein folding as they build molecular models based on the deathstalker scorpion’s toxin. Ask a biologist for even more in depth information about Venom!

    Grades 4 – 6

    DOWNLOAD PRE-VISIT PDF

Body Depot Gallery Demonstrations

Join us for these engaging, 20-minute theatrical demonstrations that feature new topics in biomedical research. Demonstrations are led by Science Center gallery staff and are performed by guests.
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    Cell-ebrity Spotlight

    A veriety show host interviews a cellular superstar about spectacular feats performed by the body, each second, to keep us alive and healthy.

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    Microbes:  The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

    To avoid using antibiotics and harming your helpful bacterial residents, see how an engineered virus plays the part of nanomedicine sheriff to fight specific bacterial bandits during an infection.

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    Viral Attack: Your Cleanup Crew To the Rescue!

    This demonstration teaches that the body's immune system is a complex series of cells and signals that respond to pathogen attack. Audience participants help bring this process to life! Ask a biologist for even more in depth information about Viral Attack!