COSI - Columbus, Ohio's Dynamic Hands-On Science Center

Available Experts Sessions

ELEMENTARY: Reptiles Live!

December 1, 2009, 1:00pm ET
Grade Levels: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Subjects: Reptiles, Habitats, Adaptations

Ever see a reptile up close? Meet COSI's snakes, turtles, and lizards, conduct your own slithery, scaley experiment, and learn more about the life of a reptile. Traci Weaver, COSI's Creepy Crawly Curator, will show you up close and personal how cool reptiles really are. Learn about their homes, their lifestyles, their favorite foods, and more! You might even get to see a snake eat!

Students should prepare questions in advance, based on the information sent to the teacher. The test connection for this program is scheduled on November 25 at 2:00pm ET.

Computers Working at the Speed of Light

December 3, 2009, 11:00am ET
Grade Levels: 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Subjects: Computers, Nanotechnology

Are you tired of waiting for your favorite songs, movies, or internet files to download? Imagine being able to retrieve a music file from the internet in the blink of an eye. How can future computers be developed to process information nearly instantaneously? Instead of depending on electric currents, tomorrow's computers will use beams of light!

Join Dr. Reano to learn how laser beams are being used on the nanoscale to develop not only faster computers, but also better sensors, speedier communications devices, and microscopic laboratories.

Dr. Reano holds Bachelor degrees in Physics and Electrical Engineering as well as Master and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The Ohio State University where his research focuses on integrated optics, hybrid wireless and photonic devices, and nanotechnology for next generation sensors, communications systems, and computing.

Students should prepare questions in advance, based on the information sent to the teacher. The test connection for this program is scheduled on December 1 at 2:00pm ET.learn more...

Developing Exercise Training Programs

December 10, 2009, 9:00am ET
Grade Levels: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Subjects: Sports, Athletics, Physiology, Biology, Physical Education, Nutrition Science

Dr. Timothy Kirby, Associate Professor of the School of Physical Activity and Educational Services at The Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology will discuss the physiological basis for developing a training program and the most effective techniques to improve performance in sports and exercise. Based on his perspective as a former collegiate coach and as an exercise physiologist, he will discuss training programs used by athletes at various levels of achievement, with suggestions for implementing programs for anyone wishing to perform at his/her best. Dr. Kirby will challenge the students to think and act from a science based perspective as they develop programs designed to improve performance and health.

Students should have prior understanding of: Basic biology, physiology and nutrition

Students should prepare questions in advance, based on the information packet sent to the teacher. The test connection for this program is scheduled on December 3 at 2:00pm ET.

Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

January 20, 2010, 11:00am ET
Grade Levels: 10th, 11th, 12th
Subjects: Anatomy, Biology, Technology, Health, Medicine

Imagine having a movement disorder like Parkinson's Disease or essential tremor in which you are not in control of your body at all times. You might be unable to walk, eat in public without spilling food everywhere, drive a car, write or use a computer. There is a new, revolutionary treatment for movement disorders known as Deep Brain Stimulation. This involves implanting electrodes in the brain that emit electrical pulses that significantly reduce the tremors or involuntary movements. Join Dr. Atom Sarkar from the Ohio State University Medical Center, to learn more about this technology and the surgery required to implant the electrodes.

Dr. Sarkar holds a bachelor degree from Brown University as well as MD and Ph.D. degrees from Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL. His post-doctoral fellowship and residency were at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Assistant Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Director of Epilepsy, Tumor, and Stereotactic Surgery and Director of Neurological Nanomedicine at the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Students should prepare questions in advance, based on the information sent to the teacher. The test connection for this program is scheduled on January 15, 2010 at 2:00pm ET.
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Nanotechnology: Hype vs. Reality

January 27, 2010, 1:00pm ET
Grade Levels: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Life Sciences, Physics, Non-traditional

How do you move something that is the same size as a strand of DNA? How can you assemble building blocks of this size into larger structures? Are "nanobots" real? What about "nanopills" that traverse your blood stream like in the movie Fantastic Voyage? Hear Dr. Jessica Winter, an engineering professor, discuss the latest in nanotechnology. Dr. Winter will discuss how nanoparticles are created and assembled into larger structures and applications in the biological field (e.g., imaging, diagnostics, and treatment). In particular, Dr. Winter will address the gap between nanotechnology science fiction and reality. Dr. Winter is the H.C. "Slip" Slider Assistant Professor in the Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and the Biophysics Program at The Ohio State University.

Students should prepare questions in advance, based on the information sent to the teacher. The test connection for this program is scheduled on January 22, 2010 at 2:00pm ET.

Genetic Counseling: The Faces of Genetic Disease

February 9, 2010, 1:00pm ET
Grade Levels: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Subjects: Biology, Genetics, Ethics

Matt Pastore, pediatric genetic counselor at The Regional Genetics Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, will be discussing how genetics affects all of our lives. In pediatric genetics, children with various birth defects, delays, and/or significant family history are evaluated to determine if they have an underlying genetic cause. Genetic counseling for several common conditions will be presented, including risk assessment, genetic testing, and psychosocial counseling.

Students should prepare questions in advance, based on the information sent to the teacher. The test connection for this program is scheduled on February 4, 2010 at 2:00pm ET.

Forensic Psychology

February 22, 2010, 9:00am ET
Grade Levels: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Subjects: Psychology, Current Events, Law

Interested in learning more about the complex interface between mental illness and the criminal mind? Join Dr. Kukor to learn how individuals charged with crimes are psychologically evaluated to determine if they are mentally fit to stand trial and criminally responsible. In this interactive session, Dr. Kukor will guide participants through a step-by-step forensic analysis of a complex forensic case involving claimed insanity.

Terry Kukor Ph.D., ABPP (Forensic) is the Director of Forensic and Assessment Services for Netcare Corporation in Columbus, Ohio, a non-profit organization that provides crisis intervention and assessment services. He currently serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology of Miami University, and as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Drexel University. Dr. Kukor has performed hundreds of forensic evaluations, and conducts workshops on risk and threat assessment in both clinical and forensic contexts. He graduated with a BA in Psychology from Marquette University, and went on to earn a Master's and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Miami University. He is one of only 250 diplomates in forensic psychology in the country that have been certified by the American Board of Forensic Psychology.

Students should be prepared to answer the 12 key questions about the case presented in the Thought Challenge, which will be sent to teachers in advance. Dr. Kukor will invite schools to answer these questions in round-robin format before he presents his answers to these questions. The test connection for this program is scheduled on February 18, 2010 at 2:00pm ET.

Imaging Single Atoms and Molecules With the Scanning Tunneling Microscope

February 26, 2010, 11:00am ET
Grade Levels: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Subjects: Math, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science

Dr. Gupta uses a type of electron microscope that can image surfaces with atomic resolution and build structures one atom at a time. Single molecules can be synthesized on surfaces, and incorporated into molecular wires which conduct current. Nanoclusters of metal atoms can be built with atomic precision to explore how their properties evolve as a function of their size. These studies are related to the future of computing, electronics and energy technologies which hope to exploit the unique properties of nanoscale structures and materials.

Dr. Gupta has been an assistant professor of physics at Ohio State since 2004. In addition to science, his interests include reading, bicycling and whistling.

Students should prepare questions in advance, based on the information sent to the teacher. The test connection for this program is scheduled on February 24, 2010 at 2:00pm ET.


Students should have prior knowledge of: The periodic table of elements, general structure of atoms (protons, electrons, neutrons).

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Gene Therapy for Diseases of the Nervous System

March 11, 2010, 1:00pm ET
Grade Levels: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Subjects: Biology, Biotechnology, Genetics, Anatomy, Physiology, Gene Therapy, Molecular Biology, Nervous System

Students should have prior knowledge of: DNA, Genes, Neurons, Motor Neuron, Gene Therapy.

Diseases of the nervous system are devastating, affecting both children and adults. One neurodegenerative disease affecting adults is termed Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. Gene therapy to deliver genes to protect these motor neurons is showing promise. Scientists and clinicians are both diligently working to find a cure or treatment for this disease.

Dr. Brian Kaspar, a Professor at Columbus Children's Research Institute and The Ohio State University, will discuss the exciting advancements that have been made on this front. Dr. Kaspar and his laboratory are working to understand this disease and develop new therapies. Dr. Kaspar is a leading expert on the development and use of gene therapy vectors for neurodegenerative diseases.

Students should prepare questions in advance, based on the information sent to the teacher.The test connection for this program is scheduled on March 3, 2010 at 2:00pm ET.


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Human Skeletons: What the Dead Tell Us About the Living

May 17, 2010, 1:00pm ET
Grade Levels: 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Subjects: Biology, Archaeology, Forensic Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Scientific Process.

Our skeletons are a reservoir of information about who we are - gender, age, size, health, and activity. In this presentation, Dr. Clark Larsen discusses what skeletons tell us, whether thousands of years old or from a recent crime scene. Dr. Larsen received his Ph.D. in biological anthropology from the University of Michigan in 1980, and previously taught at the University of North Carolina before coming to Ohio State University. At Ohio State, he chairs the Department of Anthropology. He is a leading expert on bioarchaeology, the study of human remains from archaeological settings. His work takes him all over the world. He is especially interested in the long term history of human health, from 10,000 years ago to the present.

Students should prepare questions in advance, based on the information sent to the teacher. The test connection for this program is scheduled on May 13, 2010 at 2:15pm ET.

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