ZapCam

This cabin simulator seats up to 18 people and features a four-minute ride experience for visitors. Prior to riding the simulator, visitors view a five-minute program that introduces the five surgical technologies featured in the exhibit and establishes the premise of the ride. Visitors are told that ZapCam is a tiny, remote-controlled camera that will take them into a patient's body to record video of surgery in progress. This provides visitors with an exciting, immersive experience in which they witness interactions of the human body with featured surgical procedures from vantage points inside the body. This gives visitors a unique perspective not possible at other components and helps them grasp some challenging concepts while embarking on a fun adventure.

Graphics panels adjacent to the queuing line for ZapCam chronicle advances in surgical techniques and instrumentation through notable periods of history. This will complement the focus on contemporary surgical technologies in the exhibit and the futuristic premise of the simulator ride.

Note: A small room close to ZapCam is provided for visitors who cannot or do not wish to ride the simulator. These visitors progress through the queuing line and view the pre-show with other visitors; however, they watch the ZapCam program on a large screen in this room.

Science Education Standards for ZapCam
  • Science as a Human Endeavor ( K-4)
    • Many people choose science as a career and devote their entire lives to studying it.
    • Science and technology have been practiced by people for a long time.
  • The Characteristics of Organisms ( K-4)
    • Each plant or animal has different structures that serve different functions in growth, survival and reproduction.
  • Understandings about Science and Technology ( K-4)
    • People have always had problems and invented tools and techniques to solve problems. Trying to determine the effects of solutions helps people avoid some new problems.
  • History of Science (5-8)
    • Many individuals have contributed to the traditions of science. Studying some of these individuals provides further understanding of scientific inquiry, science as a human endeavor, the nature of science, and the relationships between science and society
  • Science and Technology in Society (5-8)
    • Science and technology have advanced through contributions of many different people, in different cultures, at different times in history.
  • Transfer of energy (5-8)
    • Energy is a property of many substances and is associated with heat, light, electricity, mechanical motion, sound, nuclei, and the nature of a chemical. Energy is transferred in many ways.
  • Historical Perspectives (9-12)
    • In history, diverse cultures have contributed scientific knowledge and technologic inventions.
  • Interactions of energy and matter (9-12)
    • Waves have energy and can transfer energy when they interact with matter.
  • Understandings about Science and Technology (9-12)
    • Technological design is driven by the need to meet human needs and solve human problems.
    • Science often advances with the introduction of new technologies. Solving technological problems often results in new scientific knowledge. New technologies often extend the current levels of scientific understanding and introduce new areas of research.
Learning Styles for ZapCam
  • spatial
  • musical
  • bodily-kinesthetic
  • interpersonal
  • intrapersonal




What You Learn:
  • The complete ZapCam experience reinforces the five technologies presented in the exhibit, drawing them together in one component. It creates a shared experience for visitors, addressing social needs while providing a common knowledge base.