The Cranium Connection and Brain Satellite Exhibits Poe Center for Health Education
project type:
Opened in 1991, the Alice Aycock Poe Health Education Center is one of only twenty free-standing, not-for-profit health education centers in the country. Each year in North Carolina, over half of all deaths are attributed to preventable causes — North Carolina currently spends 97% of its health dollars on treatment, and only 3% on prevention. The Poe Center is committed to providing the preventive education needed to keep the people of this state healthy and disease-free. The Poe Center is recognized as one of the most successful centers of its kind, bringing a rich and unique approach to primary preventive education. Innovative teaching methods and technology combine to make the Poe Center a valuable health education resource for North Carolina communities, schools, and organizations.
In 1997, The Poe Center began an 18-month planning process to determine strategic ways to become more accessible, collaborative, and family friendly, and to breathe new life into the center. In June of 2000, Design Dimension, Inc. began the development of an overall Master Plan with the Poe Center to help plot a course to reach these goals.
The first facet of the new plan for the Poe Center is the Cranium Connection Brain Theater and Brain Satellite Exhibits. Located in the lobby of the Poe Center, “The Brain” is the new signature exhibit of the Poe Center. The exhibit consists of a hollow “head”, approximately 12’ tall, the interior of which is accessible to visitors through the “ears.” The exterior of the head features a stylized human face, while the interior houses an immersion theater with a major audio-visual presentation.
Upon entering the Poe Center, visitors are immediately “greeted” by the giant face of the brain theater, positioned as if it had poked up through the floor of the semi-circular windowed lobby space. Directed by signage to the right side of the head, visitors find a doorway behind the ear leading to the darkened interior. Inside the head, low-level lighting at the doors and along the floor directs visitors to seating on risers located along the back wall. Directly in front of the visitor are located two large video screens built into the front wall where the eyes would be. As the video presentation begins, the interior of the head comes to life. Lighting positioned above pulses in blue and red revealing sculpted blood vessels and veins running up and down the walls. Overhead, a stylized brain made of metal scrim illuminates with tracing rope lights and pulsing colored lights. Audio speakers positioned throughout the head saturate the interior space with sound. As the presentation goes on, the lights augment the audio-video presentation, pulsing, dimming, strobing, and changing colors.
Working with Flying Foto Factory (Durham, NC) Design Dimension and the Poe Center developed the audio-visual program’s script and visual content to teach visitors (mainly school-age kids) about how the human brain works, grows, learns, and how to protect it from injury or other harm. In the presentation, the brain is the narrator and talks directly to the audience, often asking questions or posing thoughts to ponder. The video presentation is fun and informative, mixing 3-D rendered brain images with an assortment of supportive stock footage and a healthy dose of humor. At the conclusion of the presentation, the lights come up and the audience is directed to the ear-exit on the other side of the head.
The Brain Satellite Exhibits
Just outside the Cranium Connection Theater against the windows of the Poe Center, the Brain Satellite Exhibits provide interactive displays that give kids opportunities to learn more about the brain, hands-on (and feet too). The exhibits consist of tall triangular pylons that feature oversize photographic images and smaller second-surface images that teach about different parts of the brain. Interactive counters connect the pylons and feature games and devices that teach about balance, coordination, memory, perception, and sense of touch. At the Balance Station, kids try to balance a teeter-tottering skateboard against the clock. At the Sense of Touch Station, visitors can lift a model of a human brain to get an idea of its weight, and try to guess the identity of hidden objects using touch only. Memory is tested at the next station with a “Simon-Says” type game with flashing buttons and sound. The Leap of The Day Staion allows kids to try their coordination and jumping ability against a gigantic ruler. A marker board on the kiosk prominately displays the name of the day highest leaper. Designed, fabricated and installed by Design Dimension, the Brain Satellite Exhibits are an entertaining and informative compliment to the Crainium Connection.