Grossology

The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body

BY LEON NIGROSH

July 2005 – For years, the EcoTarium has espoused, explored, and displayed lofty ecological and scientific concepts with Kenda the polar bear, the Alden Planetarium, a pair of rare Bald Eagles, and its exclusive Treetop Walkway and it has enhanced the city’s cultural scene with its summertime Jazz at Sunset series. But now, at long last, the EcoTarium (forever The Science Center to long-time locals) has gotten down and dirty with a new traveling exhibition, “Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body.”

This dynamic group of displays delves into the mysteries of (please excuse my French) pee, poop, burps, farts, snot, and boogers ~ among other bodily functions. And it’s not just for kids. This exhibition is based on the writings of internationally known teacher and microbiologist Sylvia Branzei. Her concept is that if we teach students in their own words, they will better understand scientific concepts. There are nearly a dozen different stations along the way in this interactive set-up, starting with the oversized toothy mouth entryway. Remember the boxed game “Operation,” where you had to get body parts out of the patient without setting off the buzzer? Well, “Grossology” has a lifesized version with 3-D spleen, heart, brain, and so on. It’s fun and yucky all at the same time.

Then there’s the nine-foot tall guy you pump full of air until he lets out a gigantic eructation (that’s a belch, to you uncouths). The “Look Inside” display methodically explains how food is processed as it passes through the digestive system – or as it’s put in plain words, “In one end and out the other.” Press different buttons to light up various body parts at the colorful “Upchuck Center” and you’ll discover the necessary order of things if “upchucking” is what you want as the outcome. There’s also a kids-only climbing wall that is an oversized fiberglass replica of human skin. Youngsters get to crawl across magnified pimples, scabs, warts, and moles.

Noteworthy trivia is plastered on the walls throughout the exhibit, too. We learn important facts like your mouth is the most unsanitary part of your body (playing home to more than 100,000,000 micro-creatures at any one time), adult skin weighs about seven pounds, 70 out of 100 people admit to picking their nose, and fresh urine is cleaner than spit or facial skinbecause there’s no bacteria in it. This final tidbit of information brings us to one of the most popular displays in the show, “Urine: the Game.” Matching video games set up a competition so that two players can compete to see who can score the most points by separating the good stuff from the bloodstream and sending the bad stuff into the urinary tract. The game starts off slowly and then winds up to a fever pitch ~ with, of course, accompanying biological noises. Overseeing the entire show is the ninefoot tall Professor Nigel Nose-It-All, an animatronic, bathrobed talking sink faucet that answers questions about nose conditions such as allergies, runny noses, and more. While he may tell us more than we really want to know, his erudite explanations are occasionally interrupted by a large drop of snot escaping from his nose.

Last but not least is the “Y U Stink” station, a line-up of several nozzles from which different odors are emitted. This is where parents might want to take a moment to experience the wonder of discovery through their children’s nostrils, not their own. Place a nostril over the tube, squeeze the container, and guess whether the odor comes from an armpit, a foot, a mouth, or a butt. Trust me; do not try this at home.
“Grossology” really does teach some very interesting facts about the human body ~ and it’s just the right combination of creativity, science, grossout and giggles.

Where: EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way, Worcester

When: Through Sept. 4

Contact: 508-929-2700 or www.ecotarium.org