Museum of Science and Industry

Behind the Scenes

YOU! The Experience is one of the first and largest exhibitions to showcase the connection between the human mind, body and spirit in the 21st century. Bringing this kind of exhibit to life does not happen overnight, nor could it be realized without the work of many people and partners. As the opening date for YOU! The Experience approaches, Concept Development Coordinator Alex Gallegos will share some behind-the-scenes details about this big new exhibit.

September 23, 2009: Create an Ad

If you doubt the power of advertising, just try not to think of certain fast-food chains when you hear phrases like “I’m Lovin’ It™” or “Have It Your Way®.”

In the "Create an Ad" feature of YOU! The Experience, you can create a commercial by mashing together a scene, tagline and music to sell bottled water. When you've completed your commercial, you will learn about the real marketing techniques used to get you to purchase certain products or, perhaps, to remember a fast-food restaurant's slogan.

Create an Ad is in the section of YOU! called Your Mind, which focuses on the brain's functions, including how and why you make certain choices. To super-size or not to super-size …

September 17, 2009: Mindball

Get ready to relax. Wait. I mean, "compete." No, I mean, "relax." Let me take a deep breath and start over …    

Get ready to play a game of competitive relaxation. Yes, you read that right. Featured in the Your Vitality section of YOU! The Experience, Mindball pits two players in a game that measures brain waves to determine who is less stressed. To be the winner, you must make yourself more relaxed than your opponent. Facilitators will also graciously add some distractions to make the game a little bit more interesting. Remember to take a deep breath, tune out the world and get ready to compete and relax!

September 11, 2009: Talk to Me

It can seem there's never enough time to talk with those you love about the things that matter. Have you ever wanted to give health advice to a child, share the biggest regret of your life with a friend, or recount a beloved memory for yourself ... but could never find the time?

YOU! The Experience lets you take the time to do just that in this private recording booth. Talk to Me will be your opportunity to ask and answer thought-provoking questions about health, choices and life in general. An upcoming Museum feature called SciPass will allow you to store this audio and access it from home on msichicago.org.

September 4, 2009: Flexible Space

With a little more than a month to go before opening day, the YOU! team has completed all major installations, including the exhibit's new programming space for educational sessions.

The space behind the glass partition will be dedicated to school and public experiences, and has been designed to be flexible and functional. One visible example of its versatility is the rotating glass wall just behind the table. The wall can rotate to accommodate a public or school group audience. The table will be used for iSTAN®, the Human Patient Simulator. Engineered by METI, iSTAN is a complex medical mannequin for presenting realistic health-related training scenarios. He has a pulse and heartbeat, and can breathe, speak, sweat, cry and respond. But in case you were wondering, iSTAN cannot cook, clean or bring you a beverage. For now.

September 1, 2009: New Home for Body Slices

You! The Experience is the Museum's new exhibit about health, fitness and well-being. It has taken three years to create and has involved partnering with more than 45 companies, universities and organizations. Installation of the exhibit is currently underway in preparation for the October 8th opening.

One major installation has been the glass displays for the Body Slices (see image). The slices will now reside in the exhibit in a section called Medical Innovations that will showcase the latest in medicine, technology and rehabilitation.

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