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Your health story starts with your genes, but they are not the whole story of you… Health Zone takes you through some of the different factors that influence your health. The gallery is divided into five zones with hands-on exhibits that let you explore:
- Biology – find out how genes and microbes influence your health.
See how immune cells react when germs get inside your body. Find out about some of the healthy microbes that call your body home. - Choices – the small choices you make every day add up in a big way over time.
Try some different techniques to cope with stress. Test your flexibility, balance, and leg power as you find out how physical activity supports your health. - Environment – where you live, work, and play influences your health.
Find out about ways that infections spread. Try to control an epidemic. Learn more about COVID-19 globally and how researchers and healthcare workers in Edmonton are involved in stopping the spread. - Healthcare – healthcare supports you when you need it.
See your skin in a different way under a microscope. Look at what diagnostic imaging tools reveal.
NEW Exhibit in Health Zone
Sugars Decoded is a brand-new exhibit in the Health Zone exhibit gallery. Developed in partnership with Dr. Lara Mahal and the Glycomics Institute of Alberta with the goal of educating guests about how sugars on the surface of their cells tell their health story, the exhibit will feature a video of Dr. Mahal explaining how these sugar patterns are leading to breakthroughs in cancer treatments. Guests will also get hands-on with a pattern-matching game, using microarray images to understand the changes that occur as cancer progresses through its stages.
- L.A.B. (Learning About Biology) – put on a lab coat and try some lab techniques.
Look at your own cheek cells under a microscope, extract DNA from a strawberry, or figure out the blood type of a 'patient', and other hands-on programs.
- Biology – find out how genes and microbes influence your health.
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Health Zone takes your students through some of the different factors that influence their health. The gallery is divided into four zones with hands-on exhibits plus a laboratory for your students to explore:
- Biology – find out how genes and microbes influence your health.
See how immune cells react when germs get inside your body. Find out about some of the healthy microbes that call your body home. - Choices – the small choices you make every day add up in a big way over time.
Try some different techniques to cope with stress. Test your flexibility, balance, and leg power as you find out how physical activity supports your health. - Environment – where you live, work, and play influences your health.
Find out about ways that infections spread. Try to control an epidemic. Learn more about COVID-19 globally and how researchers and healthcare workers in Edmonton are involved in stopping the spread. - Healthcare – healthcare supports you when you need it.
See your skin in a different way under a microscope. Look at what diagnostic imaging tools reveal.
NEW Exhibit in Health Zone
Sugars Decoded is a brand-new exhibit in the Health Zone exhibit gallery. Developed in partnership with Dr. Lara Mahal and the Glycomics Institute of Alberta with the goal of educating guests about how sugars on the surface of their cells tell their health story, the exhibit will feature a video of Dr. Mahal explaining how these sugar patterns are leading to breakthroughs in cancer treatments. Guests will also get hands-on with a pattern-matching game, using microarray images to understand the changes that occur as cancer progresses through its stages.
- L.A.B. (Learning About Biology) – put on a lab coat and try some lab techniques.
Look at your own cheek cells under a microscope, extract DNA from a strawberry, or figure out the blood type of a 'patient', and other hands-on programs. See the Educator FAQ below to learn how your students can participate in the L.A.B.
Best Curriculum Fit
K-3
- Scientific Methods: Investigation of the physical world is enhanced through the use of scientific methods that attempt to remove human biases and increase objectivity.
- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened by investigating natural systems and their interactions.
- Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy.
Grade 8 Science: Unit B: Cells and Systems
- Biology – find out how genes and microbes influence your health.
Where: Allard Family Gallery
Age: All Ages
Entry: Included with public Science Centre Admission / School rates apply
Where: Allard Family Gallery
Age: All Ages
Entry: Included with public Science Centre Admission / School rates apply
Educator FAQs
Frequently asked questions by Educators
1. Can our students visit the L.A.B.?
Students ages 8 and up can visit the lab during our public program hours in small groups with a chaperone.
2. What about younger students?
Students who are under 8 are encouraged to return on a future trip with family or friends to participate in the L.A.B.
3. Can our whole class come in at once?
During our program hours, we limit school groups to two tables to allow for the general public to participate at the same time. If you want to bring in your whole class, please look into the Health Zone – L.A.B. Educational Program for grades 7-9.
4. What should chaperones expect coming to the L.A.B.
Our hands-on biology experiments take around 20 minutes and are self-directed. Chaperones are required to put on safety equipment and to assist their group in working through the experiment. Science Presenters are in the L.A.B. to answer questions, but they work with several groups at once so the chaperones are expected to take charge. Students and chaperones are required to clean up their table after they complete the experiment.