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JANUARY 25, 2008

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Mike Fila - Himmelrich, Inc.
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MetLife Foundation Awards $1 Million grant to the Maryland Science Center for New Exhibit Cells: The Universe Inside Us

BALTIMORE, MD – The Maryland Science Center has been awarded a $1 million grant from MetLife Foundation to support the museum's new exhibit, Cells: The Universe Inside Us, announced Van Reiner, Maryland Science Center President and CEO.

Opening in March 2009, Cells: The Universe Inside Us will explore functions of cells and scientific cellular research through hands-on, interactive displays, innovative technologies and activities. The exhibit brings together scientists, science educators and artists from the world of dance to make science fun and relevant. Visitors to the 4,000-square-foot exhibit will walk and virtually "fly" through the inside of a cell to better understand the work of microbiologists. They will be guided through the exhibit by a series of television monitors on which dancers from The Liz Lerman Dance Exchange will encourage visitors to imitate the various movements of different cell parts.

In addition to the permanent exhibit, a 2,500-square-foot version of Cells: The Universe Inside US will be developed and travel to 12 different science museums over five years, beginning September 2009.

The MetLife Foundation grant also supports the Maryland Science Center's High School Internship Program, where baltimore City high school students will staff the exhibit, encouraging visitors to participate in its interactive elements.

"We are pleased to support the Maryland Science Center's new innovative exhibit, Cells:The Universe Inside Us", said Sibyl Jacobson, President, MetLife Foundation. "This exhibit will not only make science learning fun, but will give visitors of all ages an understanding of how science influences our health and everyday life."

"The MetLife Foundation's support of this groundbreaking exhibit underscores our mission to engage children and families in the science that effects their daily lives. We are grateful for the support of the metLife Foundation and appreciate its recognition of the importance of informal science education," said Reiner.

Participating content partners for the exhibit are the Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland Medical Center, Maryland Institute College of Art, the National Center for Microscopy and Imaging research in San Diego, California.

About the Maryland Science Center
The Maryland Science Center at Baltimore's Inner Harbor is visited by more than 500,000 people each year. Popular exhibits include: Dinosaur Mysteries with more than a dozen full-size dinosaurs and interactive paleontology activities; an exploration of the day in the life of the human body in Your Body: The Inside Story; and dozens of interactive experiments in Newton's Alley. Other popular attractions in the museum include the Kids Room, the five-story St. John Properties IMAX Theater, and the world-famous Davis Planetarium.

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 by MetLife to carry on its longstanding tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Grants are made to support health, educational, civic and cultural organizations and programs throughout the United States. More information about the Foundation is available at www.metlife.org.