Students at Northstar Junior High School recently had an uncommon opportunity to learn how human bodies really work during a visit to the Seattle show of "Bodies: The Exhibition."
Featuring 21 specially-preserved human bodies and 250 body parts, the exhibit presented a unique educational experience which allowed the students to examine the anatomy and functions of the human body in a way no text book could ever offer. They could explore the inner workings of the body and physically see the effects of disease and lifestyle choices such as smoking, over-eating and lack of exercise.
Several whole bodies are featured in the exhibit, positioned in ways we see people every day, enabling visitors to become familiar with the muscles that allow us to jump, or the bones that keep us standing, all preserved through a patented process called plastination.
Although the world-renown exhibit is not without controversy - some groups have challenged the use of unclaimed Chinese bodies in the show - Dr. Roy Glover, chief medical director for the exhibit and former professor of anatomy at the University of Michigan, says "Bodies" is designed "to introduce people to themselves."
Northstar students say the show can change your life.
A STUDENT'S REFLECTION ON THE 'BODIES' EXHIBIT
By Aja Chinnell-Mateen,Ninth grade
At this exhibit we were able to get an amazingly close view on how the human body functions, to discover what is inside our bodies, and what everything does. What makes this exhibit so unique is that it uses real human bodies that have been preserved with silicone so they will not decay.
A variety of different parts of the body were also on display, from hands, legs and arms to a heart and human skin. All the human models at this show came from morgues in China. After undergoing the silicone preservation process and a number of operations, the bodies were hardened into positions depicting activities such as running or catching a ball.
Of course, the models were once breathing individuals like you and me, and should be treated with plenty of respect.
My experience at this exhibit was completely amazing, and it changed me. I would not recommend it for everyone, and would caution that certain displays might be upsetting and inappropriate for younger children.
There were even some Northstar students who had negative reactions to the show. However, many of us - including me - found this exhibit to be a blood-chilling but astonishing experience that will have a lasting effect on the way we live our lives.
The exhibit runs in Seattle through April 1, www.bodiestheexhibition.com.
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