Today was my daughters birthday and to celebrate we made a playdate with one of her friends to go check out the opening of the new “Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body” exhibit at the Orlando Science Center. The exhibit is based on a book series by author Sylvia Branzei.
Once inside, you get to learn about all kinds of things going on in your body you may not have given much thought to. Ever taken a body odor quiz to see if the microbes are coming from your armpits or your feet? What about standing inside a giant nose to feel the sneeze?
Lots of Interactive Stations!
In the “GI Slide” where the girls could climb up into a “mouth” and slide down into a “stomach” and then crawl through the tunnel representing the intestines. Cutway views offered glimpses for parents to peek at their kids traveling through.
There was a “skin” rock climbing wall where they could crawl across the epidermis and a shooting game where they would aim and fire balls into a nose to make it “sneeze.”
At other stations you could experiment in making toots or burps — causing great giggles. You could also play a video game where you sorted white blood cells, red blood cells and other “good things” out of the bloodstream and put the different shaped “waste particles” to be cycled out into the urine stream. “Gas Attack” offered a new twist to pinball.
The girls were amused, and I was surprised to learn a few new things. It reminded me a little bit of the previous “Body Works” exhibit but with fresher graphics and new ways to interact with the displays. While the preschoolers had fun playing, I think the elementary schoolers who can read on their own will get the biggest kick out of the “gross!” factor since facts and trivia bits can be found all over the place.
WHEN: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except Wednesdays through April 27.
WHERE: Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando.
COST: $17 general;$16 students and ages 55 or older; $12 ages 3-11; free for ages 2 or younger.
Mrs. Zeiger
Melita Franzen
Cat
