RACE: ARE WE SO DIFFERENT? WILL HELP VISITORS EXPLORE THE REALITY – AND UNREALITY – OF RACE

Exhibit opens on January 28, 2012 at COSI

This photo from the RACE exhibit features college students demonstrating how racial categories have changed throughout American history. Each student is wearing a t-shirt imprinted with racial categories they would have been assigned in three different censuses.
This photo from the RACE exhibit features college students demonstrating how racial categories have changed throughout American history. Each student is wearing a t-shirt imprinted with racial categories they would have been assigned in three different censuses.
  • This photo from the RACE exhibit features college students demonstrating how racial categories have changed throughout American history. Each student is wearing a t-shirt imprinted with racial categories they would have been assigned in three different censuses.
    This photo from the RACE exhibit features college students demonstrating how racial categories have changed throughout American history. Each student is wearing a t-shirt imprinted with racial categories they would have been assigned in three different censuses.
    This photo from the RACE exhibit features college students demonstrating how racial categories have changed throughout American history. Each student is wearing a t-shirt imprinted with racial categories they would have been assigned in three different censuses.
    This photo from the RACE exhibit features college students demonstrating how racial categories have changed throughout American history. Each student is wearing a t-shirt imprinted with racial categories they would have been assigned in three different censuses.
  • A resource center at the heart of the exhibit welcomes small children with books, games and other activities.
    A resource center at the heart of the exhibit welcomes small children with books, games and other activities.
    A resource center at the heart of the exhibit welcomes small children with books, games and other activities.
    A resource center at the heart of the exhibit welcomes small children with books, games and other activities.
  • Videos throughout the exhibit present personal stories and challenge visitors to consider new perspectives on race.
    Videos throughout the exhibit present personal stories and challenge visitors to consider new perspectives on race.
    Videos throughout the exhibit present personal stories and challenge visitors to consider new perspectives on race.
    Videos throughout the exhibit present personal stories and challenge visitors to consider new perspectives on race.
  • Together, a family discovers that assumptions can be misleading as they listen to voices and try to match them with pictures of the speakers.
    Together, a family discovers that assumptions can be misleading as they listen to voices and try to match them with pictures of the speakers.
    Together, a family discovers that assumptions can be misleading as they listen to voices and try to match them with pictures of the speakers.
    Together, a family discovers that assumptions can be misleading as they listen to voices and try to match them with pictures of the speakers.
  • At the premier venue, Race drew record-breaking crowds for Martin Luther King Day, 2007 events.
    At the premier venue, Race drew record-breaking crowds for Martin Luther King Day, 2007 events.
    At the premier venue, Race drew record-breaking crowds for Martin Luther King Day, 2007 events.
    At the premier venue, Race drew record-breaking crowds for Martin Luther King Day, 2007 events.
  • Stacks of money serve as powerful emblems of the economic inequity found in the United States. Throughout Race, components like this draw visitors into conversations that connect their personal experiences with ideas encountered in the exhibition.
    Stacks of money serve as powerful emblems of the economic inequity found in the United States. Throughout Race, components like this draw visitors into conversations that connect their personal experiences with ideas encountered in the exhibition.
    Stacks of money serve as powerful emblems of the economic inequity found in the United States. Throughout Race, components like this draw visitors into conversations that connect their personal experiences with ideas encountered in the exhibition.
    Stacks of money serve as powerful emblems of the economic inequity found in the United States. Throughout Race, components like this draw visitors into conversations that connect their personal experiences with ideas encountered in the exhibition.
  • "What are you?" asks artist Kip in his photographic installation, The Hapa Project. As they encounter a multiplicity of answers, visitors reflect on the sharp contrast between common conceptions of race and the fluidity of personal identity.
    "What are you?" asks artist Kip in his photographic installation, The Hapa Project. As they encounter a multiplicity of answers, visitors reflect on the sharp contrast between common conceptions of race and the fluidity of personal identity.
    "What are you?" asks artist Kip in his photographic installation, The Hapa Project. As they encounter a multiplicity of answers, visitors reflect on the sharp contrast between common conceptions of race and the fluidity of personal identity.
    "What are you?" asks artist Kip in his photographic installation, The Hapa Project. As they encounter a multiplicity of answers, visitors reflect on the sharp contrast between common conceptions of race and the fluidity of personal identity.
  • This photo from the RACE exhibit features college students demonstrating how racial categories have changed throughout American history. Each student is wearing a t-shirt imprinted with racial categories they would have been assigned in three different censuses.
    This photo from the RACE exhibit features college students demonstrating how racial categories have changed throughout American history. Each student is wearing a t-shirt imprinted with racial categories they would have been assigned in three different censuses.
    This photo from the RACE exhibit features college students demonstrating how racial categories have changed throughout American history. Each student is wearing a t-shirt imprinted with racial categories they would have been assigned in three different censuses.
    This photo from the RACE exhibit features college students demonstrating how racial categories have changed throughout American history. Each student is wearing a t-shirt imprinted with racial categories they would have been assigned in three different censuses.

(Columbus, Ohio) – COSI is pleased to announce it will bring the RACE: Are We So Different? exhibit to COSI on January 28, 2012.  The exhibit is a project of the American Anthropological Association in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota, and encourages visitors to explore the science, history and everyday impact of race. 

“COSI is proud to bring a thought-provoking exhibition such as RACE: Are We So Different? to Columbus,” said David E. Chesebrough, Ed.D., President and CEO of COSI.  “The exhibition takes an insightful look at race through the lens of science, history, and experience.  Its content engages all ages and aligns itself with COSI’s larger diversity and inclusion initiatives.  We hope RACE: Are We So Different? will inspire our city in its bicentennial year as it strives to be smarter and more open, and that it will encourage conversation among community leaders and among all who visit COSI during the exhibit and beyond.” 

The RACE exhibit is part of a larger public education project from the American Anthropological Association and funded by the Ford Foundation and the National Science Foundation.    The project is intended to inform and shape the national dialogue about race.  In addition to the exhibit, the initiative includes a website, educational materials, and conferences designed to share research and information with the public.  

The exhibit explores the concept of race from three main perspectives; 

  • Science – through interactive exhibit components, visitors discover that human beings are remarkably genetically similar, and that no one gene or set of genes can support the idea of race. At one such station, where guests can look at their skin pigmentation under a microscope, visitors learn that variations in skin color developed as the body’s way of balancing its need for vitamin D and folate, not due to race.    
  • History – through historical artifacts and iconic objects, visitors find that economic interests, popular culture, science, politics and the struggle for power have played a role in shaping the understanding of race.  Visitors encounter pieces ranging from Jim Crow-era signs and a Native American beaded vest to catalogs and head-measuring devices.
  • Everyday Experience – through compelling photographs and multimedia presentations featuring personal experiences of race and racism in our schools, neighborhoods, health care systems, sports and entertainment industries, visitors learn that although race may not be a biological concept, it certainly has a real impact both socially and culturally.   

The presentation of the RACE exhibit offered COSI the opportunity to draw on the expertise and diverse perspectives of the Columbus community.  COSI assembled a group of more than 20 advisors to help influence the local exhibit experience.  The advisors met regularly during the local project’s development to consult with exhibit and programming staff, help shape the programs and events surrounding the exhibit, and extend the impact of the exhibit in the Columbus community.

COSI will offer a number of special events in collaboration with the RACE: Are We So Different? exhibit: 

  • Ongoing workshops for toddlers, pre-schoolers, school-age children and for home-school families.
  • Diversity in Science Day, January 28, 2012 – Learn about scientists from every continent and many different cultures, and try out some of the advances they helped make as COSI opens the exhibit RACE: Are We So
    Different    ?  
  • Sciencemakers, March 30, 2012 – A daytime panel discussion for Columbus City School students with four African American geneticists about their careers and their role models with an evening program for the general public. 
  • Girls Discover…Genetics program March 31, 2012 – This day-long event encourages girls in grades 6-8 to explore different career options.
  • Dr. Cornel West will discuss his book Race Matters in a lecture April 18.  Presented by Abercrombie & Fitch.  Advanced ticket purchase required. 

RACE: Are We So Different? will be on exhibit January 28 – May 6, 2012 and is a 200ColumbUS event.  For more information about COSI and special events surrounding RACE: Are We So Different? call 614.228.2674 or visit cosi.org.  COSI is also on Facebook.com/COSIScience and on Twitter @COSICols #TalkRACECOSI. 

A Project of American Anthropological Association | Funded by Ford Foundation & National Science Foundation. 
National Presenting Sponsor: Best Buy Children's Foundation
Local Presenting Sponsor: Nationwide Insurance

COSI, the Center of Science and Industry located in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the most respected science centers in the nation — serving nearly 30 million visitors since 1964. Parents Magazine recently named COSI the #1 Science Center in the Country. COSI’s programs and world-class experiences inspire an interest in science encourage people to want to learn more about their world. Read more at cosi.org.