Today’s day trip took us to the South Street Seaport in New York to see the Bodies Exhibition. To help you see what a body really looks like on the inside, this Exhibition uses real human bodies that have been preserved so they do not decay. (Thankfully, or it wouldn’t have been so enjoyable)
The Process: A human specimen is first preserved according to standard mortuary science. The specimen is then dissected to show whatever it is that someone wants to display. Once dissected, the specimen is immersed in acetone, which eliminates all body water. The specimen is then placed in a large bath of silicone, or polymer, and sealed in a vacuum chamber. Under vacuum, acetone leaves the body in the form of gas and the polymer replaces it, entering each cell and body tissue. A catalyst is then applied to the specimen, hardening it and completing the process.
This method of preservation creates a specimen that will not decay. This offers thousands of unique teaching possibilities for educators at all levels, including medical professionals, archeologists, and other scientists.
The whole exhibition was awesome, although Caitlin thought it just “ok”. The kids learned and had fun and isn’t that what counts? Lunch and shopping added to the time there. Cool day!
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