Purdue News
Purdue News
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May 26, 2004 Purdue soybean research featured in Indiana State Museum exhibitINDIANAPOLIS - As gas prices continue to soar this summer, a new exhibit at the Indiana State Museum highlights innovative uses for soybeans, including their potential as an alternative to petroleum. "Super Bean," which was developed and produced by Purdue University faculty and staff in partnership with the Indiana State Museum and Indiana Soybean Board, features a variety of consumer and industrial products made from soybeans, ranging from soap and candles to biodiesel and jet fuel. The exhibit opens to the public June 5 in the museum's Tomorrow's Indiana gallery and will be on display until Dec. 11. "Soybeans offer enormous opportunities for the development of new sources of energy and industrial materials, all from a renewable, domestic resource that's one of Indiana's largest crops," said Bernie Tao, Purdue professor of agricultural and biological engineering and one of the exhibit's developers. Tao conducts research on new uses for soybeans, and was recently named Indiana Soybean Board Professor in Soybean Utilization Research at Purdue. "Super Bean" includes interactive computer touch screens and videos showcasing soy-based products and the history of soybean research, as well as displays of numerous consumer and industrial products made from soybeans. In the museum's R.B. Annis Naturalist's Lab, visitors can make glue and other products from soybeans, and children visiting the lab will receive free coloring books about a character named "Bennie the Bean," provided by the Indiana Soybean Board. In addition, soy foods will be featured weekly in the museum's Crossroads Café, soy products will be available for purchase in the gift shop and visitors can view original artwork created with soy crayons along the museum's canal bridge. "This exhibit showcases the many commercial uses there are for soybeans and allows us to reach out to an audience we don't often communicate with," said Jon Whiteman, interim executive director of the Indian Soybean Board. "It's a great opportunity for people outside of the agricultural community to get a better idea of what soybeans are about and how they can be used." "Super Bean" is the latest "Innovations" display in the museum's third floor Tomorrow's Indiana gallery. Through a variety of interactive computer stations, visitors to this futuristic exhibit discover how the choices people make today shape tomorrow. "The 'Innovations' space allows us to showcase cutting-edge research and invention that is occurring right here in Indiana," said Alicia Stewart, Indiana State Museum education manager. "With 'Super Bean,' visitors can learn in a fun and interactive way how soybeans contribute to their everyday lives." Tao said, "A major goal of the exhibit is to help visitors recognize the economic and environmental advantages of developing a bio-based economy in the state of Indiana." He also sees a continued investment of time, money and effort in soybean research as a way to secure a place for the United States in the world economy for years to come. "The U.S. has a unique advantage in the world marketplace when you consider biotechnology and agriculture," Tao said. "We have the land to produce the crops for a new economy based on renewable fuels and chemicals to replace petroleum. Few other countries have such extensive, productive land resources, so by developing this technology, the production of renewable domestic fuels and chemicals could provide economic benefits to the U.S. economy for many decades to come." The "Super Bean" display is just one of many activities at the Indiana State Museum that celebrates authentic Indiana stories. Visitors also can experience new Indiana art shows, science and cultural programs, tours, and live performances this summer. For more information on upcoming museum events, exhibits and programs from June through September, visit the museum's Web site. Admission to "Super Bean" is included in regular museum admission, which is $7 for adults, $6.50 for senior citizens and $4 for children. The museum's hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Writer: Jennifer Cutraro, (765) 496-2050 Sources: Jon Whiteman, (317) 347-3620, jwhiteman@indianasoybean.com Bernard Tao (765) 494-1183, tao@purdue.edu Museum media contact: Jessica Di Santo, (317) 232-1639, jdisanto@dnr.IN.gov Michael Burrows, (317) 233-0450, mburrows@dnr.IN.gov Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu Note to Journalists: A media preview will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, June 4, at the Indiana State Museum. Reporters will be able to view the "Super Bean" display in the museum's Tomorrow's Indiana gallery, meet representatives from Purdue University, the Indiana Soybean Board and the Indiana State Museum, and sample soybean products. Parking is available in the White River State Park underground parking garage in front of the museum. Please RSVP to Michael Burrows at (317) 233-0450, mburrows@dnr.IN.gov. Ag Communications: (765) 494-8396; Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722forbes@purdue.edu
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