Beyond the Lab at Esplora

What makes someone a scientist? You might imagine someone working in a lab after years of studying and discoveries. your next visit at Esplora might inspire you to re-think this. Esplora is currently exhibiting Beyond the Lab: The DIY Science Revolution, a touring exhibition. This exhibition is part of the EU-funded Sparks project by Ecsite, the European network of science centres and museums. Beyond the Lab aims to engage members of the public with the concept of ‘Responsible Research and Innovation’ within the field of healthcare.

Beyond the Lab at the Science Museum, London
Courtesy of the Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

This exhibition is touring around 30 European science centres and museums and now it is Esplora’s time to host it.

Citizen Science, Health Hacking and DIY Biology are the three main themes of Beyond the Lab. Come and discover what these scientists are doing.  You can learn more about the seven scientists and their projects which are done at their own home. How is Shazia’s dream of having clean air revolutionising? or how will Pieter’s work contribute to our society?

In addition to the seven Beyond the Lab stories, the exhibition is complemented by three commissioned artworks developed during a residency process at Ars Electronica in Linz, Austria. These artworks include:

• Anouk Wipprecht’s Agent Unicorn presents a number of 3D-printed headsets, which take the form of unicorn horns. These are designed for children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Electrodes within the headsets measure activity in the brain, triggering a built-in camera that starts filming when the wearer’s attention level spikes. This creates a visual record that children can watch to gain a better understanding of what interests and distracts them.

• Lucy McCrae’s film The Institute of Isolation explores the future of body monitoring and life in extreme environments. It depicts a fictional organisation that offers people the chance to optimise their bodies. Inspired by current developments in genetics and medical technology, Lucy examines how the human brain and body might be shaped in the future through sensory deprivation and extreme isolation.

• Jacob and Lea Illera’s BeBots, are imaginary ‘nanobots’ that manipulate the human nervous systems to suppress our conscious and subconscious desires. Designed in response to the growth in diseases like diabetes and obesity, BeBots examines a future where everyone can use DIY medical solutions to manipulate their thoughts and feelings.

Beyond the Lab will also feature a local case study which will showcase the Malta Human Genome Project. This research project is intended to discover new DNA variants that cause disease in Malta. the exhibition will be complemented by a series of Science Espressos which take the shape of a discussion between experts and the general public. everyone is welcome to join in these discussions which are free of charge when visiting Esplora on these days. You can fin more information on these events here.

Malta Human Genome Project

The Sparks project will be at Esplora for the months of July and August and visitors can visit us during our extended opening hours. When visiting Esplora in these months, make sure you visit the Beyond the Lab exhibition at no extra cost! Our team of explainers would be happy to listen to your thoughts.

See you soon!