| The
Children's Museum of Indianapolis presents "BONES: An
Exhibit Inside You," a 6,000 square-foot exhibition
of exciting and interactive activities to teach all about bones.
It examines bone biology, keeping bones healthy, and how bones
are a part of cultures all over the world. Both adults and children
are shown how they can take an active role in keeping their
bones healthy by eating a calcium-rich diet and exercising.
By examining advances in scientific technology, visitors will
learn a great deal about bones and how to keep them healthy.
The
BONES Adventure begins as visitors move through the
covered ENTRANCE
BRIDGE where images of humans transform into skeletons.
This introduction gives a personal perspective; after all,
we're all made of bones.
Upon
entering BONES, there is the option of exploring several
different "environments", each with a unique group
of activities, offering the opportunity to learn more about
bones.
The
FITNESS CENTER
shows that what you do affects how your bones change and grow.
Families can learn how to keep bones healthy by doing some
simple, but fun, daily exercises. Visitors can try on all
kinds of protective sports gear and learn how important this
equipment is to wear.
By
building a mold of the human brain with skull pieces shaped
to fit its structure, visitors get a clear picture of how
the head is constructed under the skin. A display of new and
damaged helmets emphasizes the importance of protecting your
head, along with testimonials from crash survivors who benefited
from this safeguard.
The
SUPERSTORE
primarily shows that what you eat affects how your bones change
and grow. Through interactive displays, visitors can take
the challenge to make smart, nutritional choices in selecting
their daily diet. Younger visitors can have their own shopping
experience in a special area complete with pretend food and
shopping carts.
The
books, games and art on display in the HOME
environment emphasize that bones have interesting uses in
art and culture. The literature station provides a place for
visitors to create their own picture, poem, story or song.
Children
have played with games made of bones for many years. Visitors
can view displays of games from around the world at the dining
room table.
Another
impressive display includes bones used as tools, jewelry,
art and musical instruments from the past. Information provided
on activity cards demonstrate those different ways each piece
might have been used. See man-made objects from around the
world that affect how bones change and grow, such as stiletto
heals and Native American cradle boards.
Throughout
the MEDICAL CENTER
explore all kinds of medical technology and how it helps us
"see" the bones inside us. Graphic panels explain
four technologies in simple terms: X-Ray, Bone Scan, MRI,
CT Scan. Visitors can find out what it takes to become a technician
in a hospital and administer a CT Scan to a patient. Compare
and contrast the four kinds of bone images to determine the
differences between them. Before leaving the Medical Center,
visitors can watch a video of an actual hip replacement.
Last,
but not least, the ZOO
features skeletons of animals such as Giraffes, Komodo Dragon,
Gorilla, Kangaroo, Ostrich, Lion and more. Visitors can look
through a view-finder to see these same animals morph into
fleshed-out versions of their skeletons. Information is given
about specific adaptations of the animal, and video footage
shows the animal in its natural habitat. Visitors can assemble
the bones of a bobcat like a puzzle to create a mount of the
real animal.
An
oversized, WALK-THRU
model of a bone brought to life with fiber optics is a must-see.
"BONES:
An Exhibit Inside You" is a fun, comprehensive lesson
about one of the most fundamental parts of our bodies. This
fascinating exhibit increases our awareness of the aspects
of bones while providing valuable information about careers
in science.
The
interactivity and novelty of this exhibit will interest and
entertain both adults and children.
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