Monday, January 5, 2015

What is BodyWorlds

(Taken from the BodyWorlds site: theleonardo.org
 
 
Dear Students,
Have you ever watched a professional basketball player seem to float in air as he or she leaps up to

dunk the ball in the basket? Or maybe you watched skiers and skaters competing at the Olympics,

and wondered “How did they do that?” Well, our bodies are pretty amazing. And the more we learn

about ourselves and how our bodies work, the better we can take care of ourselves and others. And,

the healthier we will be—making us better on the ice rink, basketball or tennis court, jumping

hurdles, or just walking down the street.

“Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS: The Original Exhibition of Real Human Bodies” was

developed by a German doctor and anatomist to help people understand how their bodies work by

letting them look inside real human bodies. When you visit with your school or family, you will see

exactly how your brain and your heart look and what happens to them when certain diseases take

over. You will see how smoking destroys your lungs, and how your bones, muscles and ligaments

all work together so you can shoot baskets, dance, or figure skate. The activities inside this guide will

help you learn more about the human body.Then come visit us to see BODY WORLDS.

You’ll really get to know yourself!

At The Leonardo, our mission is to fuse science, technology and art in experiences that inspire

creativity and innovation in people of all ages and backgrounds. BODY WORLDS & the Cycle of Life,

provides students and visitors with the opportunity to learn about anatomy and health by viewing

real, preserved human bodies. This exhibition showcases all our major body systems, including our

muscular system, nervous system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, digestive system and the

reproductive system.

BODY WORLDS uses modern plastination technology as a tool to enhance the study of anatomy.

Students will understand how the body works when it’s healthy and what happens when it breaks

down, as well as the effects of lifestyle choices on the body. For instance, they can see the effects of

smoking on the lungs, and how muscles work together during exercise. More than 25 million people

have seen BODY WORLDS worldwide.

Important information to know about BODY WORLDS:
• The BODY WORLDS exhibitions rely on the generosity of body donors: individuals who bequeathed
that, upon their death, their bodies could be used for educational purposes in the exhibition. All
of the full-body plastinates and the majority of the specimens are from these body donors; some
specific specimens that show unusual conditions come from anatomical collections.
• All body specimens are without skin so you can see the bones, muscles, tendons, nerves, blood

vessels and organs. Eyes and genitals of the bodies remain. Written descriptions (English only)
accompany all specimens.
• A separate section of the exhibition highlights prenatal development and includes embryos and
fetuses. Visitors may choose whether or not to view this area.

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