Combining the fun of a pinball machine with a profound metaphor for key biological concepts, the Stem Cell Mountain brings to life the exciting yet complex idea of stem cell potential. The exhibit was conceived in partnership with the Winchester Science Centre as part of its ongoing collaboration and research. The University’s Dr Jonathan Dawson and Professor Richard Oreffo sought a fun and engaging way to communicate its important research into stem cells to children and families. Specialising in making interactive science exhibits for children, Winchester Science Centre 
provided its expertise to create the exhibit, which has since become one of the Science Centre’s most popular.
In fact, Stem Cell Mountain is now in its second iteration due to its popularity with both the public and researchers. Having visited various festivals and events, including the University of Southampton Roadshow, the exhibit has engaged over 300,000 school children, festival goers and science aficionados across the UK. Stem Cell Mountain combines the fun of a pinball machine with some key biological concepts, bringing the complex idea of stem cell potential to life.
Dr Jonathan Dawson, EPSRC Early Career Research Fellow at University of Southampton, added: “Stem cell mountain combines the fun of a pinball machine with a lively metaphor that really brings to life the big ideas of stem cell research. Visitors learn about how stem cells could be used to repair our bodies as they turn wheels to send ’stem cells’ spinning down the giant marble run and pull levers to direct them towards various ‘cell-type’ destinations. It really captures the imagination about what stem cells could make possible.”
For more information about University of Southampton’s Stem Cell research, visit http://www.southampton.ac.uk/chdscr/index.page
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