The technology will astound you! From the 12-foot-tall beating heart to augmented reality, science meets fun at every turn. Each exhibit reveals information about anatomy, nutrition or exercise. Learn more about the skin you’re in and how to live life to the fullest with healthy choices. Click for a Virtual Tour of some of our main galleries.
BeHealthy – Sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
BeHealthy stations promote whole-body health through movement and fun.
- Test your high jump ability, upper muscle strength & flexibility
- Measure your blood pressure & volume
- Calculate how long it takes to burn off that cheeseburger!
At the 11 BeHealthy stations, visitors may choose to use an “activity card” and record their results. At the end of the visit, trade the card for your personal health profile. Compare your progress on the next visit!
My Beating Heart
Do you hear the sirens? Oh, no! My Beating Heart is undergoing cardiac arrest! Watch this 12-foot-tall illuminated heart beat faster as a blood clot forms requiring medical personnel to administer life-saving procedures. Now you know the symptoms — you could save a life!
Augmented Reality
Hold a 3-D image of a heart in the palm of your hand. Watch it expand to reveal the chambers and circulatory system. You won’t find this extraordinary learning tool anywhere else in the United States!
Head to Toe
At the I-Viewer use a moveable screen to scan a life-sized image of the human body and delve into five systems: skeletal, muscular, cardiopulmonary, nervous and digestive. Just touch the screen and switch from one system to the next, accessing videos or text panels for in-depth information.
Ernest G. DeBakey Virtual Surgery Center
In the Ernest G. DeBakey Virtual Surgery Center you are the surgeon and the slightest touch of your fingers determines the procedure’s success.
- Try your hand at virtual heart bypass or knee replacement surgery.
- Seal blood vessels with laser-beam accuracy.
- Challenge your hand-eye coordination with exhibits that mimic endoscopic surgery techniques.
BioLab
Perform experiments and learn more about the science of life in this fully functioning health and biology lab. Participate in the changing experiments and demonstrations.
