The Washington National Primate Research Center, Division of Global Programs hosted an exhibit entitled “Animals and Your Health” at UW’s annual science festival “PAWS-on-Science” April 4th – 6th 2014 at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle.
The exhibit provided information for children (K-12) on methods used to study animals in the wild and included hands-on activities with some of the equipment and techniques used by researchers in the field. Children had opportunities to learn about radio telemetry, trap cameras, bio-indicator species, and biological sample collection.
“This exhibit is intended to demonstrate the close relationship between humans and the environment and how animals can provide the first indication of a decline in environmental health and the related implications for global health” said Randy Kyes, Research Professor and Head of the Division of Global Programs at the WaNPRC.
“One of the exhibit activities that is always a real hit is a hands-on demonstration of primate fecal sample collection to look for intestinal parasites,” Kyes said. “Of course no real fecal samples are used, but the fake ‘pooh’ attracts a lot of interest.”
This is the third year the Division has participated in this STEM-based educational outreach festival. The exhibit was also staffed by Dr. Pensri Kyes, Affiliated Scientist in the Center for Global Field Study and volunteer with the Division of Global Programs and Dr. Entang Iskandar, Visiting Scientist from the Primate Research Center at Bogor Agricultural University in Indonesia.