On our first AP Biology field trip, we went to The Tech Museum in San Jose specifically for the Body Worlds exhibit. Body Worlds consists of human bodies that have been plasticized, injected with plastic, and put on display. In the exhibit I saw lungs that were both from a smoker and ones that were healthy. I also saw the entire digestive tract which was very strange and makes me wonder how all that can be packed in our bodies. Another interesting subject I saw was a spine with scoliosis. I thought that was interesting because I have mild scoliosis and to see what my spine potentially looks like is crazy. Lastly I saw entire human bodies including muscles, tendons, bones, and brains. The bodies were absolutely amazing because of how well thee bodies are preserved and how the bodies are posed. I learned that the bodies and parts are specifically donated to the Body Worlds exhibit for plasticizing and putting on display. The Body Worlds exhibit is a huge step in educating people on their bodies and the effects of different situations, like smoking, can affect our body.
Overall the Body Worlds exhibit was really interesting. There were many kids and adults walking around as well, meaning that the exhibit is appropriate for any visitor. The content of Body Worlds is not inappropriate, but people could definitely be sensitive of the elements. I would just suggest know what you are going to and if seeing plasticized bodies makes you uncomfortable do not go! Walking around the exhibit I had a great sense of empathy towards the people who donated their bodies to the exhibit. For one to donate their organs is a big deal to them and especially to their family and to take that a step further and donate your body to science is inspirational. By having bodies donated to Body Worlds there can be medical and scientific advances to come.
The very first exhibit our class went to contained videos of how technology can be used to better the world. In this exhibit I learned that technology can be used for good and to help people in need like depression, vaccines, and a voice. Secondly we went to the BioDesign Studios which contains interactive activities to teach exhibit goers all about biology. The most interesting part of the BioDesign Studios was the synthetic biology, and how you can distinguish the different smells when they are all together. Our next exhibit was the Body Metrics area. Body Metrics is all about how our health. There was a table to measure your heart rate and breathing, screens to measure your ability to stretch and balance, and a station to measure your emotions. One of the most interesting things that I learned in the Body Metrics exhibit is that to be considered zen all you have to do is have rhythmic breathing! I would say that these exhibits were just as interesting and worth going as Body Worlds.
Link to The Tech Museum
Kaitlyn's Ap Biology Site 