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Hah! I thought this thread was spam at first!

1) I'd throw in some medicines like Tylenol and Aleve to show that we don't
fully understand how many drugs work (plus the conversation of which pain
reliever works best could be a familiar entry point for adults).  And
correct me if I'm wrong, or way oversimplifying things, but it seems like
many drugs are discovered by trying out thousands of different combinations
and hoping for results.  I.e. Rogaine, which was initially developed to
treat high-blood pressure. 

As a kid, I always thought that science was pretty much all figured out; I
think it's important to point out how far we still have to go.  Likewise,
there are probably some medicines we had no idea of how they worked, until
now.

2) Ethics: With cosmetic drugs receiving so much funding, I think there is
an ethical aspect of developing drugs like Viagra, while diseases like
malaria are still so problematic in developing countries.  Maybe point out
technological advances or efforts that make medicine more accessible. 

3) Plague Doctor Outfit: Perhaps this is just history exaggerated and
fantasized a bit, but I find the engravings of plague doctors' outfits quite
interesting.  Maybe a good visual to accompany the snake oil. But I would
avoid the temptation to portray modern medicine as the "perfected" form of
these "primitive" medicines...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kintzertorium/2832992668/  

4) Smells: Insert the classic sniff box with medicinal herbs that give off
an aroma, like licorice.  How about a matching game to figure out which
herbs go with which treatments?  Or which herbs have been incorporated into
modern medicines.  The smells can be in the wording of the clue.  Might also
help those who drink a lot of herbal tea to know just what they are taking!

5) Outbreak the video game: [Insert current epidemic here]. Select a
historical "outbreak" scenario, then try to stop the exponential spread of
the virus.  Like the game, "Spore" but in reverse.  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spore_%282008_video_game%29 
Also typical stuff about viruses such as H1N1 and what scientists do to
predict the next outbreak.  Also why there is no vaccine for the common
cold... yadda, yadda.  

Hope this helps... you may have to weed out a lot of "good" ideas to find
the few that are truly exhibit friendly.  Consider the overall mood: Fun?
Dangerous? Historical? Technological? Anecdotal and Story-based?

Also, I would suggest being very transparent about who your funders are, to
gain the trust of your visitors. My bet is that nowadays, many view big
pharma with the same leery eye as big oil, unjustified or not.

Good luck!
Eric

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