Featured at the Science Museum of Minnesota until May 15, the exhibit Goosebumps helps people test their fears using fun, lifelike replicas of the four most common things people worry about: falling, electric shock, animals, and loud noises.
These thrilling tests are provided to assure that some of the most scary things are not as bad as they truly seem. Whether it is being strapped vertically to a cushioned board and falling to a horizontal position at speeds faster than 100 mph or placing hands into the electric shocker mitten, fear becomes fun in this safe, hands on exhibit.
Between 30 to 50 percent of all Americans fear public speaking. This exhibit also touches on non life-threatening fears and gives advice on effective ways to handle such anxieties. With just four steps, one’s dislike of public speaking can become a minor issue: relax, prepare, seek exposure, and fight distorted perceptions.
Millions of fears exist all around the world. Learn what causes fear by visiting the learning center in the exhibit and see a real human brain on display. Being six inches away from a human brain is an unforgettable experience.
Using the brain as a teaching aid, the exhibit professionals show which areas of the brain stimulate the different types of fears, and why this occurs. The brain is what causes the symptoms of fear to show: goosebumps, dilated pupils, and looking pale.
Stop by the computer stations to play the different interactive games. The most popular one at the exhibit uses a camera to film your reaction to the different scenes being played on the computer. Although this exhibit is for overcoming one’s fears, there is room for laughter along the way. Whether it is smiling at the hysterical clips or cringing at the disturbing ones, the camera will detect a person’s every response by the facial expressions and breathing rate.
The statistics station shows how little the probability is of dying as a result of the most common things people worry about. It truly comforts people when realizing how little the percentages are: car accidents 1:6,500, lightning 1:6 million, snake/spider bite 1:29 million.
With the variety of thrilling activities and useful information, the Goosebumps exhibit is sure to be a fun and educational adventure while visiting the science museum.
