Transparent Anatomical Manikin (TAM) TAM is the foremost teaching exhibit for general human biology - and a welcome "member" of the RLHEC teaching team. It is a clear, life-size female figure that describes body systems. TAM speaks and turns as lights illuminate the visible organs. The instructor re-emphasizes the important aspects of the presentation with interactive follow-up. TAM is also used at the University of Michigan, Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, and the Korean Children’s Center in Seoul. Ahora Hablo Epañol As if intelligence and looks weren't enough, her new bilingual capabilities make TAM a true cosmopolite. More and more students in Indiana's public schools speak Spanish as their primary language, and some of these speak little or no English. The center saw the need to reach these students and approached Sonar Studios about a solution. Sonar created Spanish versions of TAM's content and synchronized it with the English audio. Then they placed it on a separate audio channel and broadcast it to a series of wireless headsets. Now these Spanish-speaking students can listen simultaneously to presentations in their native language. !Magnífico¡ History of TAM Richard Rush developed the first TAM in 1968. Soon after, TAM was used in various health education facilities to teach about the organization of the human body. Rush Studios produced a total of 42 TAMs. In 1992, Rush Studios was purchased by an exhibit company; TAMs have not been produced since. Yet many remain in use today.

RLHEC and the turn of the century brought a number of changes for TAM. The original setup allowed for only one piece of content to be run in the theatre—all lights, animation of TAM, audio and video were controlled by a singular 'box'. The Center wanted to update the content of TAM, but this meant new hardware components and software solutions. The center contacted local content developers and technical wizards, Sonar Studios. Sonar worked with the teachers to develop updated content. Then Sonar programmed a single Macintosh computer to run the content's digital video and audio clips, control multiple screens, as well as orchestrate the lights and movements of TAM— all from an easy-to-use touch screen interface. To complete the functionality, the Center brought in Professor Elaine M. Cooney from IUPUI to interface the MAC with TAM's existing robotics. She has published a white paper on the project. Due to these upgrades, the facilitators at the Center can now elect and control any one of TAM's multiple programs from a mounted touch screen at the front of the theatre.

The Center is also fortunate enough to have another version of TAM, officially known as Mobile TAM. Mobile TAM is a half-body model used in our General Health programs to assist students in learning the location of the body's various organs. Mobile TAM is similar to her full-bodied cousin but is not made from the same transparent plastic.

The Center's TAMs are an excellent tool to help students learn about the wonders and organization of the human body.

Programs that Utilize TAM

Preschool Pals – Preschool
Kinderhealth – Kindergarten
Happy Healthy Me – Grade 1
My Body – Girl Scouts, Brownies
Senses – Girl Scouts, Brownies
Life Begins – Grade 5

Programs that Utilize Mobile TAM

My Healthy Body – Grade 2
Superbodies –Grade 3
Fantastic Journey – Grade 4
Ins & Outs – Grades 5&6
Incredible Machine – Grades 7&8