Tag Archives: body worlds

This weekend: Body Worlds open for 60 straight hours

Published by on in Science
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Scenario 1:
You: Oh man, Body Worlds is closing this weekend and we haven’t gone to see it yet!
Other (spouse, friend, imaginary friend, sworn enemy, etc.): We need to see it before it closes!
You: 1. But I can’t. I am working today.
        2. Its going to be too crowded.
Other: Don’t worry, its open for 24 hours straight this weekend. We can go at anytime, and we can avoid the lines by purchasing tickets online!

Scenario 2:
You: Its 4 a.m. and I am so bored. Nothing is open. I don’t want to sleep.
Other: Lets go check out Body Worlds! Its open all weekend.
You: Now? It’s 4 a.m.!
Other: Yes, now, you fool! Let’s go!

So – these scenarios may or may not happen to you exactly as rendered. But, the fact remains – if you haven’t seen BODY WORLDS 2 & The Brain – Our Three Pound Gem – this weekend is your absolute last chance! Luckily, the exhibition will remain open around the clock during its final weekend in Houston. You’re only available at 2:15 a.m.? No problem. Tickets are available from 9 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 20 through 9 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22.

BODY WORLDS 2 & The Brain – Our Three Pound Gem features more than 200 real human body specimens, including more than 20 whole bodies; healthy and unhealthy organs; and body parts and slices, all preserved through a remarkable process called Plastination – a method for extracting bodily fluids and soluble fat from specimens, and replacing them, through vacuum forced impregnation, with reactive resins and polymers. As a result of this process, visitors to BODY WORLDS will see inside the human body, learn how it works and how it can be affected by disease and lifestyle choices.

Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You

Published by on in Education
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Inside
Creative Commons License photo credit: Andrew Mason

In a previous post, you learned a little about what it means to be a Museum employee and you got to know the Temples a little better. 

Now I would challenge you to get to know yourself a bit better.  The human body is an amazing thing and in honor of our special exhibit Body Worlds 2 and The Brain – Our Three Pound Gem I challenge you to play a quiz game based on the human body.  The format is very similar to a show on t.v. hosted by a certain Mr. Trebek, so you shouldn’t have trouble learning the rules!

Click on the link below to get started and, if you are interested in seeing Body Worlds 2 and The Brain – Our Three Pound Gem, don’t wait until closing weekend (the exhibit closes Feb. 22).  Tickets will be sold out!

PLAY QUIZ GAME

On the Seventh Day of HMNS…look inside the human body

Published by on in Science
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It’s that time again - delicious cookies, pies, chocolates and treats of all types are constantly swirling past, in a holiday smorgasbord of epic proportions. It’s delicious – but we all know we’ll be waking up a few pounds heavier on Jan. 2. So – what does all the holiday excess do to your body? For that matter, what effect does all the holiday stress have on your brain?

Find out in BODY WORLDS 2 & The Brain – our Three Pound Gem, now on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. You can see exactly where all those holiday goodies go after you’re through enjoying them – and learn how your body functions in general, as well as examine the latest neuroscience research into the brain.

Check out this video for a sneak peek into the exhibit:


BODY WORLDS 2 is just one of the fun and fascinating family events at the Houston Museum of Natural Science during the holiday season. In a take-off of everyone’s favorite holiday classic, The 12 Days of Christmas, we’ve got 12 ideas for fabulous family fun this holiday and we’ll be sharing the possibilities here every day until Christmas Eve. Best of all, most are activities that last past the holiday season – some, year round. You can also check them all out now at the spiffy new 12 Days of HMNS web site.

Check out the first six days of HMNS:
On the first day of HMNS, explore The Birth of Christianity.
On the second day of HMNS, shop for Sci-tastic gifts.
On the third day of HMNS, meet Prancer the reindeer.
On the fourth day of HMNS, discover the making of The Star of Bethlehem.
On the fifth day, move it, move it with Madagascar 2 in the Wortham IMAX Theatre.
On the sixth day, hunt dinosaurs with Dr. Bob Bakker.

Need a break from Ike? Come see Body Worlds 2

Published by on in Science
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The Skateboarder on display at Body Worlds 2.

The Skateboarder on display at Body Worlds 2.

Today our guest blogger is Melinda Davenport, a representative from Body Worlds 2.

As my first official post on the BEYONDbones blog, I have to say this has been quite a wild past two weeks. Hope everyone is recovering from Ike slowly but surely.

If you’re interested in taking a break from the 24-hour Ike news coverage, come check out the new Body Worlds 2 and the Brain – Our Three Pound Gem exhibit at the museum. This is only the third stop for Body Worlds 2 and has already created quite a buzz amongst Houstonians.

Here’s a look at what folks that have seen the exhibit are saying:

“The most wonderful, fabulous and incredible display I’ve ever seen!”
-Houston,TX

“I loved it, and I am totally blown away by the intricacies of our amazing bodies.”
                                                          -Conroe, TX

“One of the most amazing events ever to grace my eyes. Gave my children and others a new idea to the concept of being a human!”
-Houston, TX

The cool thing is, you get to learn all about how our most important organ – the brain – functions and copes with illness and disease, and explore how brain performance can be enhanced. This time around, the exhibit incorporates 200 real human body specimens and 20 full-body specimens in dramatic life-like poses; healthy and unhealthy organs; body parts and slices – all preserved through plastination.

The Plastination process was invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens, the creator of the Body Worlds exhibits. During Plastination, all bodily fluids and soluble fats are replaced with reactive resins and elastomers such as silicon rubber and epoxy through vacuum forced impregnation. After gas and heat, the specimens assume rigidity and maintain those infamous life-like dramatic poses.

Here’s my list of the must-see plastinates at the exhibit:

  1. The Skateboarder (shown above) – You’ll see what happens to your body when engaged in extreme sports and when you push your body to its limit.
  2. The Drawer Man - A unique look inside the complicated body from skin to intestines.
  3. The Exploding Man - The largest display in the exhibit featuring each and every organ.
  4. The Figure Skaters - Shows how elegant the muscles work for fine-tuned athletes.

The exhibit is considerably different than the Body Worlds that came to Houston in 2006 - in content and display - and is shown on two floors of the museum, so its definitely a sight to see! Body Worlds 2 is 50% larger than the last showing in Houston and has a detailed display of exactly how the human brain operates. After seeing Body Worlds 2, please feel free to add your comments below to let us and other museum-goers know what you thought of the exhibit.