FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		Media Contact:  Chris Power Bain
February 14, 2008		Phone: (303) 953-3618
		Mobile: (303) 810-9007

Colorado Residents and Visitors to Investigate Health in a Whole New Way

The Colorado Health Foundation Provides Funds for New $8 Million Interactive Health Science Exhibition at Denver Museum of Nature & Science

DENVER—Beginning in April 2009, residents and visitors to the Denver area will be able to measure their bodies and learn how to improve their health in ways they have never experienced at a museum—or anywhere else.

Expedition Health, a new $8 million permanent exhibition opening next year at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, will immerse visitors of all ages in an interactive world that will help them to investigate how their own bodies function and change—right down to the cellular level. Kaiser Permanente Colorado has partnered with the Museum to contribute $4 million toward the new exhibition, while The Colorado Health Foundation has provided a $500,000 challenge grant to the museum as part of its commitment to funding initiatives that support its goal that Coloradans engage in healthy eating and active living.

With 10,000-square-feet of exhibition and laboratory space, Expedition Health will provide visitors with a wide variety of activities and experiences that will broaden their knowledge of human biology, disease and wellness, and inspire the application of those discoveries to their everyday lives. Through interactive exhibits and lab experiments, live demonstrations and programs, and immersive theater experiences, visitors will learn what makes their own bodies function, and why even small changes can lead to improved health and vitality.  

As an example, visitors will be able to measure their bodies’ energy output as they walk a course and then experiment with different movements like hopping, running and skipping, to increase that energy expenditure. At another station, they will witness how sunscreen works to block UV rays on their own skin. In the exhibition’s science lab, they can conduct experiments to analyze the sugar and protein content of their favorite breakfast cereal.

“We believe Expedition Health will be an exciting way for Colorado’s children and families to learn how to keep their bodies healthy throughout their lifetime,” said Anne Warhover, president and CEO of The Colorado Health Foundation. “We look forward to working with the museum as they bring the exhibit to life and supporting innovative efforts to use the exhibit to improve the health of Coloradans.” 

In addition to Kaiser Permanente Colorado and The Colorado Health Foundation, The Gates Family Foundation also made a major donation to Expedition Health. Additional major donors include the Institute of Museum and Library Services; Helen K. & Arthur E. Johnson Foundation; Rollie R. Kelley Family Foundation; The Cydney and Tom Marsico Family Foundation; MetLife Foundation; National Outdoor Leadership School; the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District; and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science Trustees.

For more information on Exhibition Health Please visit www.expeditionhealth.org.

About the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain region’s leading resource for informal science education. A variety of engaging exhibits, activities and discussions help visitors celebrate and understand the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth and the universe. The Museum is located at 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205. To learn more about the Museum, check www.dmns.org, or call 303-322-7009 or 1-800-925-2250. 

About The Colorado Health Foundation
The Colorado Health Foundation works to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation by improving access to affordable, quality health care and encouraging Coloradans to make healthier lifestyle choices. The Foundation's assets of nearly $900 million include an investment portfolio as well as an ownership interest in Denver’s HealthONE hospital system. The Foundation invests in the community through grants and initiatives, medical education programs and direct care programs serving older adults, families, mothers and infants. For more information, please visit www.ColoradoHealth.org.

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