'Real Bodies' exhibit returns to science center; will feature COVID-19 gallery

Want an up-close look at how the novel coronavirus affects the human body?

Then you might want to check out "Real Bodies: The Exhibition," which opens Monday at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach. 

The exhibition, which is making a return visit to museum following a successful run in 2016, will feature 20 preserved human bodies and more than 200 anatomical specimens in 11 galleries. 

The COVID-19 gallery allows visitors to learn how the virus affects different organs inside the body, and what emergency medicine physicians and epidemiologists are doing to treat it.

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The exhibit also will include a section with fetal specimens to show bone development throughout pregnancy.

This year, the galleries will be named to draw attention to how organ systems affect emotions. “Hunger,” “Love” and “Motion" are among the names.

“Everyone from 2 to 92 will be able to understand how your heart and your brain make you love and make you feel. It touches more on the emotional aspect than the previous exhibit did,” said Science Center President and CEO Kate Arrizza.

The corpses are preserved using a technique called plastination, which replaces bodily fluids and fats with liquid plastics. 

For those who are concerned about how the bodies were acquired and where they come from, Arrizza explained they were provided by the Dalian Hoffen Bio-Technique Co. in China. The cadavers arrived with a certified document signed by Dalian Medical University’s professor of anatomy, Sui Hongjin. 

“The specimens were donated legally and certified to have died of natural causes,” Arrizza said.

“Real Bodies: The Exhibition” is the science center's first exhibit since it reopened after closing when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted leaders to shut down county.

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Arrizza said the science center was forced to lay off 16 people, approximately 25% of the staff.

But with this new exhibit, Arrizza is confident things will start to pick up.

“We will recover from this and come back bigger and better than any year,” Arrizza said.

The exhibit's capacity will be monitored to make sure social distancing guidelines are followed, according to a science center spokesperson.

The cost to see the exhibit is $17.95 for adults, $13.95 for children over 3, $15.95 for seniors and members and free for children under 3. Masks will be required for guests older than 2.

The exhibit runs through April 11. The science center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

For more information, visit www.sfsciencecenter.org or call 561-832-1988.