Note: Guest safety is always our top priority. Therefore, some pieces may be unavailable during select times if repairs are needed or constricted space concerns arise.

Bodies in Balance – An Exhibit about Homeostasis

They might call it homeostasis. We call it just plain fun. The new exhibit Bodies in Balance opened January 26, 2013 at the Sci-Tech Discovery Center.
From the day you are born, your body’s systems work hard to stay in balance with each other and to deal with challenging elements you run into in the course of living in a physical world. Your body works persistently and invisibly to keep you healthy.

24 interactive stations in Bodies in Balance give you tools to explore your body’s maze of complex systems and functions.
What does your body use to defend itself from invaders?
What does your body do to get rid of whatever has invaded it?

How does your body get rid of excessive heat threatening to bake you from the inside out?
How does your body use that food you insist on feeding it?
How does your level of activity affect how long it takes to burn off that hamburger’s calories? What happens to the calories you don’t burn off?

How hard is skin working on your behalf? And just how big and heavy is your skin?
Why don’t your elbows feel nearly as sensitively as your palms?
And how does this process of homeostasis work throughout your body, in all of your organ systems, each organ individually, even on the cellular level?
Come on, stretch your mind, and find out.

Nano

Nano is an interactive exhibition that engages family audiences in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Hands-on exhibits present the basics of nanoscience and engineering, introduce some real world applications, and explore the societal and ethical implications of this new technology. Nano was created by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE) with support from the National Science Foundation. This collection of displays and challenges make a BIG deal out of the world’s smallest science in a fun, hands-on way.

Coordination Station

A hands-on discovery area, this exhibit features rotating games that engage visitors of all ages with simple machines and demonstrate basic principles of physics. It includes a Keva Plank table and an interactive station where visitors can see and learn more about simple machines in action.

Other Assorted Pieces

Widget Wall

While you’re here, make sure not to roll past our Widget Wall. Located in our Discovery Stage, this exhibit lets you use magnetic halfpipes to roll a ball down your very own coaster.

Preschool Zone

Books, blocks, puzzles & more… everything your little learner will love so that they can have a comfortable place all their own. Intended for guests up to 6 years old.

Bubble Tables

Create jumbo bubbles that are sure to amaze while watching the science of surface tension in action AND comparing the effects of our various bubble frames.

Lego Tracks

Let creativity be your guide as you use our wide assortment of Lego pieces to design your own pieces. For added discovery, use our hand-built tracks to test Lego cars by modifying your design to be as fast as possible OR simply have fun challenging your family/ friends.