Body Worlds exhibit returns to Museum of Science and Industry

Body Worlds & The Cycle of Life shows the changes that the body goes through during a human lifespan in the most vivid way possible.

The traveling exhibit, which runs at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry through Sept. 5, showcases donated bodies that have been preserved in life-like poses.

The specimens highlight different aspects of human development, from conception and birth through adolescence, adulthood and old age.

Worried it's too gross or scary for your kids? This is the third Body Worlds exhibit to run at the museum and Dr. Patricia Ward said it's always been wildly popular.

"It is content that is absolutely appropriate for all ages, but it's important for parents to make their own decisions about their own kids and how they might react to this because it is real," she said.

Body Worlds brought in 1.3 million visitors when it stopped at the Museum of Science and Industry in 2005 and 2007. Ward said many guests asked the museum to bring Body Worlds back. This is the first United States stop for the newest version.

Body Worlds & The Cycle of Life explores prenatal development with a multimedia display on cell division and a collection of preserved embryos and fetuses. At the other end of the spectrum, a portion of exhibit called Centennial Village shares findings on the common traits shared by the longest lived people around the world.

"One thing that has changed in their exhibit is that there's a more clear narrative," Ward said. "Some of the earlier ones were really just about anatomy but didn't have things that fit the whole thing together."

Ward said that there's a constant hum of conversation in the Body Worlds exhibit space. Visitors tended to relate what they were seeing to their own lives, looking at a figure with a hip replacement and talking about their grandmothers, or identifying the type of heart valve they had. Children in particular have been amazed by getting a new perspective on how their own bodies work.

"We see a lot of conversations between parents and kids," Ward said. "It's a great way for kids to get some of their questions answered in a very safe environment. Kids also recognize that they're learning about these things in school. This provides a deeper understanding."

Healthy living is emphasized throughout the exhibit, with specimens showing the lungs of smokers and nonsmoker and healthy and obese bodies side by side.

"Kids can also make some connections about what you do and how that affects your health and that's a big win," Ward said.

Visitors have left comments saying that seeing the smoker's lungs made them decide to quit smoking or vow to never start.

"Body World's doesn't preach to you," Ward said. "We just tell you 'Here are your lungs if you didn't smoke. Here they are if you did.' These things make a huge impact, more so than if someone gives you a list of dos or don'ts."

Body Worlds & The Cycle of Life

Where: The Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Sept. 5

Price: $27; $26 for seniors; $18 for kids ages 3-11 (includes general admission)

Call: (773) 684-1414

Web: msichicago.org