EHE News
Labs in Life @ COSI is first in the nation
Labs in Life @ COSI allows children and adults touring the science museum watch researchers in action. Mark Rose, left, and Brian Unverferth, both graduate teaching associates in sport and exercise sciences, talk with a visitor about data collected on the treadmill in the Human Performance Lab.
The new Labs in Life @ COSI partnership is the first in the U.S. between a research university and a science center. Children and families get to see College of Education and Human Ecology researchers and graduate students in action. While they're at it, they'll learn the importance of fitness and nutrition knowledge.
The goals are to encourage visitors to make positive health and fitness changes and to inspire young people to pursue careers in health-related fields.
The state-of-the-art laboratory at 333 W. Broad St. in Columbus contains equipment in plain sight.
The Labs in Life faculty includes:
Jackie Buell, human nutrition and OSU Sports Nutrition, invites visitors to explore two labs testing bone density and body composition. She directs Ohio State's nutrition program for varsity athletes, and coordinates the Sports Nut site on how to improve performance. She has studied the risk of metabolic syndrome among collegiate football linemen, who may develop diabetes and heart disease later in life.
Gail L. Kaye, human nutrition and OSU Extension, shows how our choice of foods is important for preventing and treating obesity. She focuses on promoting dietary behaviors important for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. She has developed an after-school program that educates students about nutrition skills. In turn, the children take the information home. She says, "Today's children need intervention. With nutrition education, we think we can inoculate them against obesity."
Carmen Babcock Swain, physical activity and educational services, is an exercise physiologist overseeing the Human Performance Lab. Her own concentration is on improving athletic performance and new training methods for competitive athletes. She would like for young athletes and their coaches to understand what they can do to improve their performance in sports.
For more details, visit the Labs in Life @ COSI website.
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