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It's Time To Enjoy Time Of Your Life

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 24, 2008

NORTH TAMPA - The nation's largest children's science center has a new exhibition that's all about you.

The first phase of "The Amazing You," a 12,000-square-foot exhibition at which guests are invited to explore the developmental stages of life, from the beginning through adolescence, opens today at the Museum of Science & Industry.

The second phase, expected to open in late 2009, will cover bodily changes that occur throughout adulthood, including middle age, senior years and end-of-life stages.

"We spent a lot of time trying to make these exhibits fun and interactive," said Dave Conley, MOSI's vice president of exhibits. "No one else that we know of has done what we've done."

Conley said the permanent, third-floor exhibition allows visitors to explore their bodies through state-of-the-art computer graphics and other unique means of technology.

The beginning-of-life stage captures life creating life, featuring a series of seven developing human fetus specimens, each donated by the National Museum of Health and Medicine and preserved in formaldehyde. Visitors also may view the growth of a virtual fetus by way of simulated ultrasound machine.

"I've been assured none of these specimens came through abortions - perhaps the mother died in an accident," Conley said.

The childhood stage allows guests to view their skeletal and muscular systems onscreen. They may also test their hearing and vision acuities and participate in a large-scale version of Operation, a board game that checks their knowledge of different types of surgery.

At the adolescence station, visitors are invited to check their body mass index, which can be used as a guide in determining whether a person is underweight, normal, overweight or obese - a common health risk among teens. They also are able to access software that shows the variety of body changes that occur during puberty.

To test their knowledge of mental health issues, teens may take part in Healthywood Squares, a tick-tack-toe game meant as an amusing takeoff on the "Hollywood Squares" TV show.

"We think we've taken a very unique approach to life's stages, one that's appealing to kids and adults of all ages," Conley said.

All of the exhibition's stations are wheelchair-accessible and contain texts in English and Spanish.

The $4.5 million project is sponsored by the MetLife Foundation and supported by BlueCross and BlueShield of Florida and BayCare Health Systems.

MOSI President Wit Ostrenko encourages other community members to contribute to the second phase of the project.

"You and your family will see things you've never seen before, and hopefully you'll discuss them on your way home for a healthier, happier life in the years to come," Ostrenko said. "If I knew seven years ago what is in 'The Amazing You,' I would not have had my heart attack."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: "The Amazing You"

WHERE: Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave.

WHEN: Opens today

HOW MUCH: General admission to MOSI is $20.95 for ages 13 to 59, $18.95 for ages 60 and older, $16.95 for ages 2 to 12

INFORMATION: Visit www.mosi.org

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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