GOING BACK INSIDE

Great Lakes Science Center reopens with new procedures, ‘Body Worlds Rx’ exhibition

Considering the spring was spent providing an online curriculum for stay-at-home students, the Great Lakes Science Center is excited about not only its gradual reopening but also brand-new exhibition “Body Worlds Rx.” ¶ “It’s always difficult to switch your mode of operation to really reimagine the museum over the past three months,” Great Lakes Science Center President & CEO Kirsten Ellenbogen said. “That included everything from how we could safely open camps on June 1 — which has gone smoothly — to how we could actually open the facility. ¶ “There are a lot of people being flexible, creative and also using science to make sure we’re all going to be as safe as possible.”

The reopening of Great Lakes Science Center is happening in phases, beginning with “Body Worlds Rx.” The exhibition opened to the public on June 19. For now, the hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

The special exhibition ticket includes an additional ticket good for general admission to the entire Great Lakes Science Center, which is set to fully reopen July 1 with regular hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Guests will notice changes throughout the museum, including frequent hand-washing and sanitizing stations and exhibits that have been modified to reduce touch interfaces.

The Science Center also has instituted increased cleaning procedures that will take place throughout the day and daily after closing. The latter includes electrostatic mister sanitizing treatments.

All guests and staff will be temperature-checked when entering the building and will be required to wear a mask.

Building capacity will be reduced,

and guests must buy their tickets in advance online and select an arrival time.

“It’s an exciting moment and a big relief to get to this point,” Ellenbogen said. “We’ve gotten a great response. There is pent-up excitement and eagerness to be back, and ‘Body World Rx’ is the perfect exhibition to reopen with.”

“Body Worlds Rx” is a sequel of sorts to 2005 traveling exhibit “Body Worlds 2,” which a news release states is the Great Lakes Science Center’s most popular exhibition to date.

“It’s unforgettable to see the human body that way,” Ellenbogen said. “The opportunity to bring ‘Body World Rx’ was very appealing. We couldn’t know how important the topic would be when we booked it, but this exhibition is different from the previous one because it really takes a deep dive into disease of the human body.”

Booked prior to the pandemic, “Body World Rx” is a groundbreaking anatomical display that highlights the marvels of the human body and the dramatic effects of disease.

The specimens on display in “Body Worlds Rx” show comparisons of healthy organs and diseased organs, to reveal the impact of disease on the body’s systems.

Using a process called Plastination, the complex preservation method removes the fluids from the body and replaces them with reactive resins and elastomers. Visitors will see specimens that illustrate common ailments ranging from cardiovascular disease to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

For some guests, “Body World Rx” could end up being a scared-straight experience.

“It’s hard to go through ‘Body World Rx’ and treat your body in the same way,” Ellenbogen said. “At the very least, you’ll be thinking differently.”

COURTESY OF GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER “Body Worlds Rx” is on display at Great Lakes Science Center, which is reopening in phases.

COURTESY OF GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER Great Lakes Science Center resides on Cleveland’s North Coast Harbor.

SUBMITTED “Body Worlds Rx” features body-donations preserved through a process developed in the 1970s.