SCI opens Gunther Von Hagens' BODY WORLDS Vital traveling exhibition this Saturday

For Immediate Release — Wednesday, May 4, 2011

DES MOINES, IA: BODY WORLDS Vital presented by Iowa Health System and Kemin Industries, Inc. opens to the public for a limited engagement at the Science Center of Iowa (SCI) this Saturday, May 7, 2011. BODY WORLDS Vital is the latest exhibition in the BODY WORLDS saga from physician and anatomist Dr. Gunther von Hagens, focusing on the inner workings of the human body and how to defeat life-threatening diseases through the use of real human bodies.

BODY WORLDS is the original anatomical exhibition displaying authentic human bodies, willed by donors through the Institute for Plastination’s Body Donor Program, and preserved using a process called plastination. Invented by Dr. von Hagens, plastination is a groundbreaking process in which real human specimens are preserved through the science of plastination.  The specimens resulting from the revolutionary process are called plastinates.  Plastinates show the inner workings of the body and the striking whole-body specimens show the human body in real-life poses like never seen before.

“SCI is thrilled to host the world-class traveling exhibition BODY WORLDS Vital as part of our 40th Anniversary celebration,” says SCI President & CEO Dr. Paul Jennings.  “The message of BODY WORLDS Vital aligns with our mission to be the highest quality resource inspiring learning in the community. This exhibition provides an extraordinary platform for our visitors to discover the human body in health, disease and distress.”

The purpose of BODY WORLDS Vital is to educate the community on common diseases and preventive care and to encourage them toward living a healthy lifestyle. The exhibition is comprised of whole body plastinates as well as individual organs and translucent body slices that give a complete illustration of how the human body functions.

“Iowa Health is committed to improving the health of our communities. We invested in BODY WORLDS Vital to give Iowans a rare glimpse into how the human body works,” said Eric Crowell, President and CEO of Iowa Health – Des Moines.  “We hope this world-class exhibition educates and inspires you to take better care of your family's health.”

"The BODY WORLDS Vital exhibit is a testament to the complexities of the human body and human health,” said Chris Nelson, President of Kemin Industries, Inc. “There is still much scientific research and breakthroughs yet to be discovered in the biochemistry of the human body. I hope the exhibit inspires young people to work in bio-science and be part of these amazing future discoveries.”

 
Supplementary Programming
The Science Center of Iowa will enhance the BODY WORLDS Vital exhibition with a monthly educational and interactive series of events called Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies. These events are designed to engage the public in the education of health of both the mind and body.

Complementary IMAX Film
The Human Body (45-minute documentary film) sponsored by Grand View University and Iowa Health - Des Moines.

The Human Body reveals the incredible story of life with a look at the biological processes in astonishing detail through the use of groundbreaking computer graphics and stunning real-life images.  This is the story of what takes place beneath the skin and gives viewers the ability to see the extraordinary accomplishments of our everyday lives.

“Grand View is vitally interested in the health and well-being of the central Iowa community.  Through our nursing, bioscience and health promotion programs -- and our wellness initiatives -- we support and encourage that well-being,” says Kent Henning, President of Grand View University. “We’re proud to sponsor The Human Body in IMAX, an unprecedented glimpse into our own personal inner workings that may inspire an increased focus on health and wellness."
 
"In addition, we are proud to present The Human Body at the Science Center of Iowa's Blank IMAX Dome Theater,” says Crowell. “Our mission of healing, caring and teaching is fully demonstrated in this presentation as viewers are taken through an incredible journey through the human body."

Visiting Information
Timed tickets to BODY WORLDS Vital are $19.25 for adults, $13.50 for children ages 2 – 12 and $17.75 for seniors. SCI members receive discounted tickets to the exhibition. Estimated visiting time inside the exhibition is 1-2 hours and audio tours will be available to SCI members for $3 and to non-members for $5. Tickets to BODY WORLDS Vital include all-day admission to the Science Center. 

Please note, May 9-14 has adjusted visiting hours for BODY WORLDS Vital. On May 9 - last ticket sold at 2:00 p.m., the exhibition closes at 3:00 p.m.; May 10 - last ticket sold at 12:30 p.m., the exhibition closes at 1:30 p.m.; May 11-13 - last ticket sold at 2:00 p.m., the exhibition closes at 3:00 p.m.; May 14 SCI will open at 8:00 a.m. Regular visiting hours will resume Sunday, May 15.

For more information on the BODY WORLDS Vital exhibition and to purchase tickets, visit www.sciowa.org/bodyworldsvital or call (515) 274-6868.

 
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About BODY WORLDS

Created by Dr. Gunther von Hagens, BODY WORLDS is the culmination of the German scientist and physician’s more than 35-year career in anatomy.  More than 32 million people around the world have experienced the BODY WORLDS exhibitions.  BODY WORLDS exhibitions are the only exhibitions that rely on an established body donation program. To date, more than 12,000 donors around the world have bequeathed their bodies to Dr. von Hagens’ Institute for Plastination.

About the Science Center of Iowa & Blank IMAX Dome Theater

The Science Center of Iowa is a 110,000-sq. ft facility devoted to lifelong learning, featuring dynamic experience platforms and daily interactive demonstrations with SCI staff for visitors to explore and experiment.  By placing the power of learning in the hands of the visitor, the programmatic emphasis is not on "what" to learn, but "how" to learn.  SCI also features the 175-seat John Deere Adventure Theater for live performances, the 50-foot domed Star Theater for planetarium shows and the 216-seat Blank IMAX Dome Theater for engaging films.  SCI’s Iowa Learning Center cultivates ties to formal education through educational resources for educators and students, the NAEYC-accredited SCI Preschool, as well as a statewide outreach program.