I just wanted to share with the class my recent trip to Mobile, Al with some friends to see the blockbuster exhibit at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center named, Our Body: The Universe Within.
The trip was nice driving down. We drove through Hammond and Slidell, La then into Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula, Ms and on into Mobile. We also visited the town of Bayou La Batre that was noted in the film, Forrest Gump, as the home place of his friend, Bubba. This town was so fun to visit. The scenery along the way was breathtaking and the weather was gorgeous that day.
The exhibit was a once in a lifetime opportunity to encounter first hand the beautiful complexity of the human body. You can observe what only doctors and scientist are normally allowed to see. This riveting exhibit literally goes "under the skin" to reveal the mysteries of the human anatomy through a fascinating presentation of actual human specimens. The exhibit featured 12 bodies and 75 anatomical displays preserved to expose the inner workings of the human anatomy. After I saw this exhibit I will never look at my body in the same way again. (ha!) The exhibit has been there since Jan. 11th and will be there until May 11th.
The human bodies featured in Our Body: The Universe Within are preserved using a recently discovered technique called polymer impregnation. This method of preservation uses liquid plastics to keep everything from delicate tissues, to organs, to the body's structure intact. This is a breakthrough in the way people are able to study human specimens. To process one body it takes 1,500 hrs. and results in specimens that are odorless, durable, safe to handle and resistant to decay.
This was a fun trip for myself and my friends and it was so worth the time to drive and see it all. A very interesting day for sure.
