ORLANDO, Fla. _ Orlando Science Center is unveiling two traveling exhibits that approach the human body from different angles. "Zoo in You" takes the natural approach, down to the microbe level, while "Humans Plus" looks at ways technology can enhance the abilities of our bodies.
The exhibits opened to the public Sept. 22, and will stay at the Loch Haven Park museum through Jan. 6.
The new displays are presented side-by-side on the second level of the science center. Visitors are greeted by displays of a robotic arm and a prosthetic hand, an entry into "Human Plus" kiosks that feature inventors of technologies and people who are able to use them.
Some of the displays simulate those uses. One large-screen kiosk allows visitors to replicate how a legless snowboarder maneuvers down a hill; another represents a wheelchair that a DJ can use to control the fade and scratch effects of music.
Other displays give the chance to design wheelchairs for use on the beach or show how sensors sewn into clothes give hearing-impaired wearers a sense of music playing.
"Zoo in You" takes on the task of making the body's micro-organisms _ invisible to the naked eye _ relatable. One simple way is the use of photography, blown up to make the little guys nearly as big as cars. (There are also photo opportunity cut-outs in the back).
There is the chance to look into a microscope at different viruses, including the pause-worthy anthrax slide.
Other approaches are more game-like: Visitors are challenged to guide a marble through a path of microbe-heavy objects (your dog, your toilet paper), put together a puzzle representing DNA strands, stand in front of a green screen that represents an open mouth or intestines and even build their own viruses (where one learns that not all of them make you sick).
The display numbers are memorable: 2,300 kinds of microbes have been discovered in human belly buttons, and more than 200 kinds of microbes live in the spaces between your front teeth. Also, there are more microbes in your gut than there are people on our planet.
We'll just let that digest for a bit.
The latest exhibits are included in regular admission to the Orlando Science Center. For more information, go to OSC.org.
