Called "Tracking the Human Brain," the project draws upon the success of "Journey Into the Living Cell," an NSF-funded, multimedia project that allows viewers to explore the insides of a living cell. The interactive show opened at the Science Center's Henry Buhl Jr. Planetarium in December 1995.
"Tracking the Human Brain" will apply a technology called the Group Immersive Visualization Environment to the Science Center's planetarium that will create high levels of audience participation and learning. A complex array of interactive media devices will enable the audience to become a model of a working brain.
The presentation will be shown on the hemispherical surface of the Science Center's planetarium using sophisticated and entertaining imaging technologies, including interactive full dome video animation. A giant image of the brain with pulsing neurons that correspond to the seating arrangement of the audience will be projected on the planetarium dome.
Each audience member will be "cast" in the role of a neuron so that, collectively, the audience becomes a brain. Using the interactive system, the audience will work collectively to solve a variety of entertaining problems and tasks and in the process learn how the brain functions.
"The context for this work is the need for increased public understanding of the human brain - an organ central to the very concept of humanity," said Bryan Rogers, director of the STUDIO and one of the directors of the new planetarium show.
"We believe that our extraordinary team of artists and scientists working together can communicate the importance and excitement of the most contemporary understanding of the human brain," he said.
Pittsburgh is considered a leader in brain research. According to the Pittsburgh High Technology Council, about $100 million is committed to brain research in Pittsburgh.
"In a very real way, it makes sense for three Pittsburgh institutions to produce this show about advances in our understanding of how the brain operates," said James McClelland, co-director of the CNBC and a director of the project.
"The City of Pittsburgh, through Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, has advanced high-tech and well-funded programs in cognitive neuroscience. Every day, researchers in my area are gaining new understanding of how the brain works. It will be exciting to share these discoveries through a novel medium like a planetarium," McClelland said.
The show will be distributed nationwide beginning in 1999. Three traveling, portable interactive installations will permit the show to be seen at nine science centers each year for three years.
A fully outfitted interactive studio lab at Carnegie Mellon will provide a state-of-the-art environment for project design, production, development and evaluation.
In addition to Rogers and McClelland, Seddon Bennington, director of the Carnegie Science Center, will oversee the project. Rob Fisher, senior research artist in the College of Fine Arts and co-director of "Journey into the Living Cell," is artistic director.
The project will draw upon the expertise of artists at the STUDIO, scientists at CNBC, computer visualization specialists at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center and the Science Center planetarium staff.
Students from local public schools, including participants in the Graduate School of Industrial Administration's "I Have a Dream" program and the Manchester Craftsman's Guild, will provide feedback during development of the project.
For more information, visit the project's Web site at http://occipita.cfa.cmu.edu/brain/index.html.