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Which of our cells age the fastest? How do our response times change with age? What is the longest-lived animal species on the planet?
Aging has great relevance in the 21st century as medical advances and demographic shifts accelerate the growth of our elder population and scientific research hones in on the central mysteries of aging.
"Amazing Feats of Aging," geared for K-8 grade students and adults, is presented in a colorful, carnival-themed atmosphere.
The hands-on activities are in three thematic areas including Mysteries of Aging Revealed, The Wild World of Aging and The Amazing Aging Brain.
In Mysteries of Aging Revealed, visitors can watch their faces age up to 25 years at the Age Machine, learn about free radicals and cell damage, and discover which cells in their bodies regenerate frequently and which are rarely, if ever, replaced.
They can peer into several “nickelodeons” to find out what they can do to fight the effects of aging, from flossing their teeth to maintaining healthy social relationships.
The second theme focuses on how animals age. Activities in The Wild World of Aging include comparing the life spans of various species, learning which animals spend time with their elders, and exploring the differences in longevity between males and females.
Visitors can learn which animal shows no signs of physical decline as it ages and which animal’s lifespan has been extended six times longer by genetic engineering – and what that means to humans.
The third thematic area explores The Amazing Aging Brain.
Here visitors can examine the changes that occur in the brain over time, distinguish between the effects of disease and healthy aging on the brain, and identify choices that enrich and nurture the brain throughout life.
Activities include comparing MRI’s of a 27- and 87-year-old brain; testing your response time to see how it compares with other age groups; and exploring the areas and features of the brain that are most commonly affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
The American Museum of Science and Energy, located at 300 South Tulane Ave., in Oak Ridge, is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.
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