Media Advisory

Raleigh students to experience Destiny
traveling science learning program

Media representatives are invited to climb aboard Destiny, one of the traveling science laboratories from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Destiny science learning program, when it visits North Raleigh Christian Academy next week.

Tuesday (Jan. 9)
11:10 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
1:25 p.m. to 3:05 p.m.
North Raleigh Christian Academy
7300 Perry Creek Road, Raleigh

During the visit, students from two of Cindy McInnis' biology classes will perform a lab exercise called "Weigh to Go!" Students will explore connections between obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Using hydrophobic interactive chromatography, a key process in biotechnology research, students will purify a genetically engineered designer protein (simulated modified leptin) from transformed bacterial cells. Additional activities will help students become more aware of the obesity epidemic at global and individual levels.

The Destiny traveling science learning program is Morehead Planetarium and Science Center's formal science education initiative serving pre-college teachers and students across North Carolina. Destiny develops and delivers a standards-based, hands-on curriculum and teacher professional development with a team of educators and a fleet of vehicles that travel throughout the state.

Destiny and Discovery, two custom-built, 40-foot, 33,000-pound buses, bring the latest science and technology equipment to students who otherwise would not see a high-tech laboratory or what a career in science can offer. The modules described above are among 13 offered as part of Destiny's curriculum. All of Destiny's modules are aligned with the N.C. Standard Course of Study.
The science buses are powerful visual images that heighten public awareness of the importance of and funding necessary for quality science education. The Destiny program first hit the road in 2000.

For more information, go to http://www.destiny.unc.edu

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Destiny contact: Claire Bury, (919) 923-1815 or bury@unc.edu
News Services contact: Becky Oskin, (919) 962-8596 or becky_oskin@unc.edu