family
learning
guide
1
A MESSAGE FROM THE SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA’S
PRESIDENT AND CEO, DR. PAUL JENNINGS
“This exhibition paints a vivid picture
of the human body in health, disease
and distress through the presentation
of full-body plastinates. Our hope is that
by providing the community with this
unique educational opportunity, they
will challenge themselves to make more
informed lifestyle choices, opening up a
path to wellness and longevity.”
presented by
contents
introduction.......................................................................................................... 3
frequently asked questions (faq).......................................................... 4-5
the locomotive system.............................................................................. 6-9
the nervous system.................................................................................. 10-13
the respiratory system............................................................................14-17
the circulatory system.............................................................................18-21
the digestive system..............................................................................22-25
post visit discussion topics ....................................................................... 26
thank you............................................................................................................ 26
additional resources.......................................................................................27
Did you ever wonder
what our bodies look
like under our skin?
BODY WORLDS VITAL
showcases full body plastinates
without skin to easily show the
ligaments, tendons, muscles,
bones, nerves, blood vessels
and organs that few of us
ever get to see.
This guide provides
interactive exploration into
five body systems through
questions, activities and
discussion points.
You are the best
science coach
your child has.
Each child develops differently
and comprehends information
at different rates. Choose the
activities in this guide that you
feel will benefit your child the most.
Ask questions. Encourage your
child to form their own opinions.
Curiosity is a great trait for a
young scientist to have!
3
frequently asked questions
Why is this BODY WORLDS exhibition
important? The BODY WORLDS VITAL
exhibition allows visitors to see and better
understand the systems of the body and the
long-term impact of health, distress and disease.
What is plastination? Plastination was
invented in 1977 as a way to preserve medical
specimens without formaldehyde. The technology
replaces natural fluids in the body with a
flexible plastic, resulting in lifelike, odorless
and completely dry models. Plastination is
now a common preservation technique and
many universities have plastination capabilities,
including the University of Iowa.
Are the plastinates real human bodies
and organs? Yes, BODY WORLDS exhibitions
rely on the generosity of donors who request that
their bodies be used for educational purposes
upon death.
4
Why use real human bodies instead
of models? We are all unique, even on the
inside. These bodies prove, in a way models
cannot, that together our lifestyle choices and
genetics have an influence on our bodies.
Is this exhibition appropriate
for my child? This exhibition includes wholebody plastinates with exposed genitals and some
displays with reproductive organs. There are also
plastinates throughout the exhibit that have
been altered from their natural form. We leave
it to you, the parents and guardians, to decide
if it is appropriate for your children.
What review process did the
Science Center of Iowa go through
for BODY WORLDS VITAL? The Science
Center of Iowa consulted with community faith
leaders as well as medical authorities before
agreeing to bring this exhibition to Iowa. All
felt that this is a highly educational exhibition
that respectfully magnifies the complexity and
wonder of the human body.
5
the
locomotive
system
The locomotive system,
consisting of bones, muscles
and connective tissues,
gives humans the ability
to move around and also
protects and supports
the body’s organs.
cool fact
In order to be stable,
the knee joint needs
13 muscles plus many
ligaments to bind the
bones together.
6
hands on health
Can you find
your spine?
Ask your child to run a finger along your
backbone. That’s the spine! Each of
those bumps in the center of the back
is a bone called a vertebra. There are
33 vertebrae that make up your spine.
Without your vertebrae,
you couldn’t stand tall!
When do you use your spine?
>
>
>
7
the
locomotive
system
scavenger
hunt
 fibula
of ‘Skeleton’
 sternum
of ‘The Ligament Body’
 triceps muscle
of ‘The Runner’
Did you know? The place where two
bones meet is called a joint. A type of
moving joint is the ball and socket joint.
It is made by the round end of one
bone fitting into the small cup-like area
of another bone like your shoulder.
8
the locomotive system
let’s learn more
osteoporosis
(say: oss-tee-oh-puh-ro-sis)
A condition in which a person’s bones
are weakened because of a loss of bone
density. Weak bones can break more easily.
Look at the body slice of the ‘knee joint
with osteoporosis’ and the ‘knee joint.’ Can
you list three differences between the two?
1.
2.
3.
What do you think could
help keep bones healthy?
1.
2.
3.
9
the
nervous
system
The nervous system is
a network of nerves
connected to your brain
which control everything
you do, including
breathing, walking,
thinking and feeling.
cool fact
10
The left side of your brain
controls the right side of
your body, while the right
side of your brain controls
the left side of your body.
hands on health
How big is
your brain?
1. M
ake two fists using each hand.
Make sure your thumb is touching
your index finger.
2. P lace your fists together so your
knuckles touch. This is about the
size of your brain.
11
the
nervous
system
scavenger
hunt
 spinal cord
of the ‘Nervous System’
 cortex
in the ‘Right Hemisphere of the Brain’
 median nerve
in ‘Carpal Tunnel Syndrome’
Did you know? Three times
as many women as men have
carpal tunnel syndrome.
12
the nervous system
let’s learn more
Alzheimer’s
disease
(say: ALTS-hi-merz)
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that
permanently changes the brain. Over
time, it makes it harder to remember even
basic information, like how to tie a shoe.
Look at the ‘brain’ and the ‘Alzheimer’s Brain.’
Can you find any differences between the two?
>
>
>
What do you think helps
prevent Alzheimer’s disease?
>
>
13
the
respiratory
system
The respiratory system
is involved in breathing.
It includes the nose,
throat, larynx, trachea,
bronchi and lungs.
cool fact
14
Normal breathing
sucks air into the nose at
4 mph. A good sensory
sniff is 20 mph. A sneeze
will shoot out of the
nose at 100 mph.
hands on health
Why does
your chest
move when
you breathe?
1. W
atch your chest move
outward as you breathe in.
2. P ut your hand on your
chest and try to feel
the muscles move.
Your lungs are not muscles.
The movement of your
diaphragm and chest muscles
is what causes your lungs
to expand and contract.
15
the
respiratory
system
scavenger
hunt
 bronchial tree
 cavities
in ‘Smoker’s Lungs’
(hint: look for the white arrows)
 diaphragm
in ‘The Singer’
16
Did you know?
You can live with
one lung. It can
limit your physical
ability but doesn’t
stop you from
living a relatively
active life.
Ever get the hiccups? Don’t worry—it’s just
your diaphragm doing something different!
This thin, dome-shaped muscle helps you
breathe and separates the lungs from
your stomach and intestines. When it gets
irritated, the diaphragm forces the air out of
your lungs in a funny way. Hic!
the respiratory system
let’s learn more
lung health
Smoking is the primary cause of lung
disease and the most preventable cause
of death in the United States.
Find the ‘Lungs of a Non-Smoker’
and the ‘Lungs of a Smoker.’
Can you list three differences
between the two?
1.
2.
3.
What other health problems could a
smoker develop?
>
>
>
>
17
the
circulatory
system
The circulatory system
is comprised of the
heart and blood vessels,
including arteries, veins
and capillaries.
cool fact
18
Your heart beats about
100,000 times in one
day and about 35 million
times in one year.
hands on health
How big
is your
heart?
1. M
ake a fist with
your left hand.
2. P ut your fist up to
the center of your
chest. Your fist is
about the size of
your heart.
19
the
circulatory
system
scavenger
hunt
 left ventricle
of the ‘Opened Heart’
 blood vessel configuration
of the ‘Heart’
 femoral artery
of the ‘Arterial Bone Body’
Did you know? The human body has over
60,000 miles of blood vessels. That’s well
over two trips around Earth’s equator.
20
the circulatory system
let’s learn more
hypertrophy
(say: hi-per-tro-fee)
Hypertrophy refers to the enlargement or
thickening of muscle tissue. Since the heart is
basically a muscle, it can become hypertrophic,
reducing its ability to pump effectively.
Look at the ‘heart’ and the ‘heart with
hypertrophy.’ Can you find any differences
between the two?
>
>
>
What do you think causes
heart hypertrophy?
>
>
>
21
the
digestive
system
The digestive system turns
food and liquid into the
building blocks and fuel
the body needs.
cool
fact
cool
fact
22
By the time you grow
up, your liver will be
the size of a football.
hands on health
Did you know
chewing your
food is part
of digestion?
1. Look closely at your
parent or guardian’s teeth.
2. H ow many different shapes
and sizes of teeth do you see?
Why do you think we
have so many teeth of
different shapes?
23
the
digestive
system
scavenger
hunt
 large intestine
 small intestine
of ‘The Digestive Tract’
 pancreas
24
Did you know?
The entire
digestive process
takes about a day.
the digestive system
let’s learn more
your liver
The liver is the largest organ inside the
body. It is found high in the right upper
abdomen, behind the ribs. It is a very
complex organ and has many functions.
A fatty liver is not a healthy liver. In some
cases a fatty liver can develop cirrhosis.
Look at ‘healthy liver,’ ‘fatty liver’ and
‘shrunken liver’ (cirrhosis). What differences
do you see between the three?
>
>
>
Can you list some of the
functions of the liver?
>
>
>
25
post visit discussion topics
hat did you like best about
 W
Body Worlds VITAL?
 What did you learn about your own body?
 What are some healthy things you
do to take care of your body?
Thank you for experiencing BODY WORLDS VITAL
at the Science Center of Iowa. We created this
guide to help you and your family make the most
out of your visit. We hope your experience has
furthered your knowledge of the inner workings of
the human body and how lifestyle choices affect
your health. We welcome your comments and
feedback at [email protected]
We invite you to visit our other experience platforms
and the Blank IMAX® Dome Theater. Please see
our website for current information on educational
programming at the Science Center of Iowa.
www.sciowa.org
26
additional resources
Play and Find Out About the Human Body
by Janice VanCleave
DK Eyewitness Expert: The Human Body
by Anita Ganeri, Sue Nicholson, Jackie Fortey, and
Fawzia Rasheed de Francisco
Open Me Up
Everything you need to know about the human body
by DK Publishing
Body Science
The head to toe guide to the Science in you
by DK Publishing
brainpop.com/science/
iowahealth.org/education-center.aspx
kids.discovery.com/tell-me/science/body-systems
idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/season4/blood/astoundingfacts.cfm
sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/humanbody/brain.html
facts.randomhistory.com/human-heart-facts.html
kidshealth.org/Search01.jsp
pbskids.org/itsmylife/body/smoking/article2.html
mayoclinic.com/health/left-ventricular-hypertrophy/DS00680
gicare.com/diseases/fatty-liver.aspx
medterms.com/script/main/hp.asp
bodyworlds.com/en/exhibitions/recources_materials.html
27
SCI BOX OFFICE
THE ACROBAT COUPLE
BODY WORLDS VITAL
GIFT SHOP
BODY WORLDS VITAL
ENTRANCE
THE FENCER
SMALL DISCOVERIES
THE LASSOER
THE WINGED MAN
THE FLAMENCO DANCERS
TORSO CAST MOLDS
RUNNING MAN
NERVOUS SYSTEM
SPECIAL
ENGAGEMENTS
ONLY
WHAT THE WORLD EATS
THE SINGER
NERVE LEONARDO
JOHN DEERE
ADVENTURE THEATER
Don’t miss
the IMAX®
documentary
Allow 90 minutes to two
hours to see BODY WORLDS
VITAL. You may exit the
exhibition at any time.
local sponsors
Please note, there is
NO REENTRY allowed once
you exit the exhibition.
28
401 W Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 274-6868
© SCI 2011
Photos copyright: Gunther von Hagens, Institute for Plastination, Heidelberg, Germany, www.bodyworlds.com
LIGAMENT BODY
BODY OF OPEN DOORS