The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
A healthy interest in medicine
Families visiting the new permanent exhibition at Dundee Science Centre, Medical Marvels, will find a body of work showcasing the city’s position at the leading edge of medical advancement
Medical Marvels is the new permanent exhibition at Dundee Science Centre. Celebrating Dundee’s links to the latest in medical technologies, it opened earlier this week – just in time to keep curious kids and their adults entertained during the summer holidays.
The exhibition has been several months in the making and regular visitors to the centre will find a space that has been transformed to provide a truly interactive experience through high-tech exhibits. Medical Marvels is inspired by Dundee’s role at the forefront of medical innovation and visitors will enter the exhibition space by walking past a medical curiosities wall that includes displays of genuine 19th Century surgical toolkits and even a glass-eye inserter. These fascinating and slightly macabre objects, which are on loan from the Tayside Medical History Museum, will make you grateful for the developments in modern medicine.
Moving into the main exhibition, families are invited to interact with, touch, feel and try out the amazing displays. From 3D models developed in conjunction with the biomedical engineering department at Dundee University that allow you to see the layers of the human body to a virtual anatomy table, the insight into the human body and medical innovation will wow young minds and prove just as fascinating for grown-up visitors.
Find out how procedures such as endoscopy have been improved and see the latest solution to this challenging procedure, which is being developed by a research physician in Dundee.
Children can explore some of the incredible innovations in surgery that
have progressed in the City of Discovery, trying their hand at keyhole surgery or even performing heart surgery in the realistic ‘operating theatre’. With three operating tables, this room uses augmented reality to reveal the steps required in surgical procedures.
Other fun exhibits include the chance to dress in virtual scrubs and take a selfie or look inside your own body to discover how your muscles move. Find out more about some of the local people who are making a difference in the field of medical science through displays that tell the stories of scientists and medical practitioners who live and work in this area. According to Dundee Science Centre business manager Lorraine Lemon: “You might walk past them in the street, they are just normal people but they are doing extraordinary work – we want to make this kind of science accessible and real to our young visitors.”
While the exhibition is designed with children from upper primary age and above in mind, there is plenty to keep younger visitors busy too. “For us, it is about interacting as a family,” explains Lorraine, “engaging as a family unit to experience things together and we hope that there is something for everyone.”
Part of the exhibition is the chance for children to learn an incredible amount about the human body, medical technology and Dundee’s strong connection to innovation in medicine. Medical Marvels offers the opportunity to poke, prod and play to their hearts’ content so they probably won’t even realise they are learning!
On top of the redesigned exhibition space, the Science Learning Suites have been revamped so the centre can now accommodate full class sizes for workshops and talks. Running alongside Medical Marvels, the Medical Myths and Mysteries Show will give visitors an insight into some fascinating aspects of medicine including keyhole surgery with the increased capacity of the room. Part of the main exhibition space will also be used as expert zones and workshop spaces to provide the perfect atmosphere for learning about medicine.
We want to make this kind of science accessible and real to our young visitors