“The exhibit is very instructive,” says Riderwood’s Siegfried Balzer, who attended the exhibit after reading about it in the papers. “I anticipated learning a lot, and I did. It’s a definite educational experience. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the human body.”
“I liked seeing the parts of the body I’d never seen before,” says Jean Ann Kesler, a former teacher and librarian, who is also a member of the Riderwood community. “This exhibit is a must for anyone interested in the human body and learning.”
By providing a unique look at the human body, the exhibit aims to teach people how to take better care of their health and make positive lifestyle choices. The exhibition provides a better understanding of certain medical conditions and highlights damage done to organs due to smoking and dietary excesses. For instance, one display showcases a healthy lung next to a smoker’s very black and damaged lung.
“I’ve never seen lungs like those shown here,” Balzer says. “The lung of the smoker was totally black. I was amazed that any air at all could be processed through that lung.”
Limitless learning opportunities
One of the most popular exhibits shows a slice though the entire body with an “inside” look at all the internal organs within their natural space. It’s an experience most visitors have never had.
“I liked seeing the slice through the human body, things you would never see any other way. There is no way you could make a plastic model look like the real thing,” Kelsey says.
Another powerful presentation showcases the muscles of the human body molded into a skeletal shape that “holds hands” with its own skeleton.
“It was so beautiful and so artistic,” Kesler says. “My favorite part of this exhibit is the way they handle the human bodies.”
Sharing the experience
Upon leaving “Bodies . . . The Exhibition,” many Riderwood participants expressed eagerness to share their experiences with friends and family.
“It’s truly an educational experience,” Jean Otte says. “I would really like my grandchildren to see it.” Kesler agrees. “Students should be here to open up their minds and their eyes to think and to explore,” she says. “This exhibit is mind-boggling.”
To aid in the educational experience of children, “Bodies . . . The Exhibition” provides a special children’s audio tour as well as four age-specific teacher’s guides from elementary to postgraduate levels. It is recommended that children attend the exhibition with a teacher or parent as an adult guide.
Anyone interested in attending the exhibit can catch it at The Dome in Rosslyn until October 28, 2007. As for the members of the Riderwood community, they’re looking forward to future trips in the Washington, D.C., area. “That’s why I came to Riderwood,” says Rita Bastek. “There are just so many things to do.”