Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States. So why aren’t Americans doing all they can to take care of their tickers?

Heart Smart, a collaboration between the University of Miami’s Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Miami Museum of Science & Planetarium’s Center for Interactive Learning, is investigating this question while teaching museum patrons how they can improve their heart health. Debuting at the museum in 2009 with the potential to travel to other venues nationwide, Heart Smart is an interactive exhibit with collateral classroom and Web-based resources, as well as a “Heart Smart decisions game” that researchers will study to determine if it promotes learning and healthy behavior change among high school students. Exhibit visitors will be able to anonymously contribute their data on measurements such as weight, waist size, blood pressure, and health habits.

Funded by a $1.3 million Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) from the National Center for Research Resources, Heart Smart is one of 11 SEPA projects across the country designed to foster health and science literacy and student interest in science careers. Principal investigators are Patrice Saab, UM associate professor of psychology, and Judy Brown, executive director of the museum’s Center for Interactive Learning, a joint venture with the University of Miami. The center will contribute to programming for the new Miami Science Museum to be built in Bicentennial Park.