# BioBuilding: A traveling exhibit for future biomedical engineers

> **NIH NIH R25** · SCIENCENTER · 2024 · $267,819

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
BioBuilding: A traveling exhibit for future biomedical engineers
The Sciencenter, Cornell University’s Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, and SpectrUM
Discovery Museum will develop a traveling exhibition on biomedical engineering for small to mid-sized
museums nationally. The 1,500 square-foot bilingual (English/Spanish) exhibition and supporting
programs will use hands-on learning experiences to target youth ages 6-12 and their families to foster a
greater understanding of biomedical engineering and the innovative ways it is used to address issues in
medicine, public health, and health equity. The project will be co-developed by the Sciencenter and
Cornell University graduate students, immersing Sciencenter staff in biomedical engineering content,
while strengthening graduate students’ ability to communicate their research to museum audiences.
Long-Term Objectives
1) Generate knowledge of and interest in biomedical engineering careers among rural youth ages 6-12
and their families; 2) Generate increased understanding within the general public of how biomedical
engineers improve health; 3) Encourage graduate students to continue to connect with museums
throughout their careers as a way to engage the public with important biomedical engineering content.
Specific Aims
This project supports the National Institute of Health’s strategy to “enhance the training of a workforce
to meet the nation’s biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs” by targeting youth and families
in rural communities, communities that are often underserved in STEM. This project also aims to
improve science communication skills among participating Cornell University graduate students.
Research Design and Methods
The project will use evidence-based methods of exhibit design and inquiry-based learning to co-develop
a traveling exhibition and supporting programs with Sciencenter staff and Cornell graduate students,
which will tour nationally. Front-end evaluation and iterative prototyping with target audiences will
inform framing and entry points for biomedical engineering content. Standardized activity guides and
take-home kits will extend learning experiences into the classroom, community, and homes of visitors.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10913478
- **Project number:** 5R25EB035479-02
- **Recipient organization:** SCIENCENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Adrienne Testa
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $267,819
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-01 → 2028-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10913478

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10913478, BioBuilding: A traveling exhibit for future biomedical engineers (5R25EB035479-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10913478. Licensed CC0.

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