Level 6: The AstraZeneca Human Edge
Section A
Topic: Biology
A1. Answers will vary but may include X-rays, ultrasound, computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or endoscopy using a fibre-optic camera. Some examples of body parts shown in the imaging include: an X-ray of a shoulder showing a fractured collarbone, an ultrasound of the uterus of a pregnant person, an MRI of a knee showing a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and an endoscope showing the surgical repair of a knee.
Section B
Exhibit: Hanging Skeletons
Topic: Biology
B1. Both skeletons are missing hands and ribs, and they both have dental problems. The larger skeleton is missing a fibula in both legs and a radius in one arm. It also has damage to one side of the pelvis and one femur.
B2. The larger skeleton has a screw in the hip. This may have been done to repair a hip fracture.
Section C
Exhibit: Living Liquid
Topic: Biology
C1. i. Plasma (55%): Carries the blood cells. ii. Red Blood Cells (40 %): Carry the oxygen needed to keep the body’s cells alive. iii. White Blood Cells (1%): Destroy pathogens, eat bacteria and release antibodies to defend the body against invaders. iv. Platelets (4 %): Initiate the clotting process with fibrinogens and other blood components.
Section D
Exhibit: Immunity Mirror
Topic: Human Health and Body Systems
D1. Answers will vary. Students may mention the following points from the exhibit:
- Dendritic cells gather up pieces of the virus and transport the viral fragments via the lymphatic system.
- Inside the lymph nodes, the dendritic cells show your killer T cells the virus fragments so they’ll know which infected cells to target.
- Killer T cells identify and destroy the infected cells.
- Plasma cells produce virus-fighting proteins called antibodies.
D2. When the virus you have been vaccinated against enters your airway, your antibodies and immune memory cells respond quickly to block it before it can damage your cells.
Section E
Exhibit: How Do Vaccines Keep Communities Safe?
Topic: Human Health and Body Systems
E1. Answers will vary.
E2. Answers will vary based on the responses to E1. In this activity, the student is representing a person with the disease. The dots on the floor represent other individuals in the community; they will turn red when each individual becomes infected. The percentage of vaccinated individuals impacts the spread of disease. Highly contagious viruses, such as measles, require higher levels of community immunity to prevent their spread.
E3. See E2.
Level 6: The Bruce Poon Tip Living Earth Hall
Section F
Exhibit: Caves Capture Our Changing Climate
Topic: Earth and Space Science
F1. A stalagmite’s age is gauged by measuring the decay rates of its radioactive elements.
F2. The relative levels of oxygen isotopes and trace elements in a stalagmite may indicate whether the climate was dry, wet, warm or cool at the time of formation. Carbon isotope levels can also reveal information about plant life and major events, such as monsoons and glaciation, as well as other important climate information. Scientists can compare stalagmite data to records from other climate proxies to reconstruct past climates and inform climate change models.
F3. Speleothems are caused by chemical reactions. These chemical reactions cause the formation of a new substance and are difficult to reverse.
Level 6: Science Arcade
Section G
Exhibit: Shadow Maker
Topic: Physics
G1. The exhibit demonstrates phosphorescence.
G2. Phosphors in the vinyl wall absorb light energy, hold it for a moment, and then emit it as lower energy light.
