Exhibits, and more Exhibits (Blog 1) - Adriana Millan

Walking into the California Science Center a new experience was on its way. Behind the scenes madness of what I once saw from the visitors eyes as a child in elementary when I frequently visited the Science Center. Now, as I walked in I would help create memories for those who visited, or so I thought.

I was immediately greeted by Valerie Thompson, the Volunteer Manager. She showed me to her office and gave me a bag full of gifts, all branded with the California Science Center name. She briefly spoke to me about the Science center and how it was interactive based. Instead of hearing and reading please do not touch, guest are welcome to touch displays available. Interact with intriguing features rather than only being allowed to walk around and read plaques. After our brief introduction I was escorted to the fourth floor, a floor you could only reach with an access pass that would cause me future distress. But, that’s for another blog. Valerie introduced me to a few friendly faces as I waited to meet Kristen Denton, Manager of the Community and Exhibit Programs. To my luck, Kristen was unavailable and I was instructed to go watch an IMAX. I watched The Human Body. The film ventured through the lives of a family. Showing the audience the functions of the male and female body - what the eye doesn’t see and the brain doesn’t instruct. Viewers are able to learn about the mire instant of our creation, the start of a new life that stems into something bigger and greater. After the IMAX concluded, I was escorted back to Kristen’s office where she informed me what my duties would be as part of my internship/ volunteer position I would now hold.

Curator Kids Club! My worst nightmare. But before all the mayhem I would endure the next few weeks, I roamed around the center looking at exhibits unknowingly of what was future was to bring.

Ecosystem, Creative World, World of Life and more - Body Worlds: Pulse the new addition to the various exhibits had to be the most intriguing. Much of what I learned from the film The Human Body was incorporated into this exhibit. The exhibit presented a further look into human

body using models that revealed the bodies muscles, bones, organs, veins, etc.

The exhibit included a section on technology's impact over our everyday lives, a highlight of the exhibit. For example, those who play video games are more likely to feel socially awkward and anxious in situations they are unable to control in comparison to a video game where they are in control of what occurs. An interesting fact about each display is they have the eyebrows of the organ donors that contributed to the exhibit (yes, straight off their face) - odd, I know.

Ecosystem was next, I made it just in time to watch a diver swim with the fish and discuss the environment /conditions the fish needed to survive and feel at home while in captivity. The exhibit included other fun features - Extreme Zone, Forest Zone, River Zone, Island Zone, and a few more. Each taking a look into the environment they withheld and a special area discussing Kelp Forest Restoration.

Now, about Curator Kids Club - RUN!