Opinions on Body Worlds?

[Daphne]

This exhibit (more than 200 real human cadavers, "plasiticized" so you can see organs, etc.. will be at the science museum when we go on our annual field trip in February. The brochure says it's appropriate for grade 5 and up, but I'm not so sure.. We'd be taking 220 7th graders and I'm leaning toward NOT taking them through this exhibit (tho I'd love to see it myself).

I don't mind digging into some of the ethical issues with the kids, but I know there were objections raised regarding where the bodies came from (they were cleared of any wrongdoing), and also on religious grounds. I also worry that that many 12 and 13 year olds in a room with 200 cadavers (hey, it's almost a one-to-one ratio) could be trouble. What do ya'll think?

[Unregistered]

Hello,
I saw the exhibit in St. Louis about a month ago. I am a fourth grade teacher, and although I didn't take my class, I do have some observations. While there, I did see children about fourth and fifth grade age taking it all in. I think it is important, if you decide to go with your class, to explain to them that the donors were fully aware that their bodies would be used for this exhibit. It explains all of that as you enter the exhibit, and shows the documentation involved.

I believe it depends on the maturity of the children. Several of the displays are graphic in genetalia, and I did notice a few kids snickering, but nothing they couldn't handle. Perhaps you could go alone and scope it out, then decide. It is a fascinating exhibit, and I am so glad that I saw it.

Good luck, and Happy New Year.
Fourth grade teacher from MO

[annettemcd]

Having worked in a place where school groups were brought on field trips, I have some suggestions of how to have a successful field trip.
1. Prepare the students for what they will be seeing and have lessons about the material; in this case, talk about anatomy and about Body Worlds.
2. Tell the students about expectations on behavior and consequences.
3. Inform parents of both #1 & #2.
4. Have an appropriate number of adults with you. A teacher can not be expected to supervise the same number of students on a field trip as he/she can handle in the classroom. Determine a good ratio and then have adults assigned to supervise a particular group of students with a list of their names. This will probably mean having volunteers and you might need to look for a bigger pool than just parents. (You might want to consider grandparents, people from a Senior Center, adult relatives, even siblings, members of local service organizations (Lions, Kiwanis, Shriners). Even with seventh graders, the supervisor should always have all individuals of his/her group in sight. The ratio could be as low as 8 or 10 to 1. Sell it to your volunteers as a way to see the exhibit for free since their costs should be covered for them.
5. Students should have partners and stay together.
6. Students should have a definite assignment. Check with the exhibit and see if learning materials are available. If not, research ahead of time for appropriate questions. Students should not be just running around, but should be learning and should have to find the answers to questions. Students could even had come up with their own questions before hand. Reports could be required afterwards on what was learned.
7. Do not have just a sheet of paper, but have students have something stiff to write on like a clipboard, notebook, or stiff piece of cardboard and have a pencil attached. They shouldn't have to use the displays or the floor to write.
8. Talk to the museum ahead of time to determine if there are guides or docents available, what size groups the docents will want. (If you have more or less than they require, you might have to reorganize your groups at the last minute. Even it is that a room used for some instruction will accommodate 24 and you have groups of 10.) Find out how much time will be involved in each stage of the tour. If you have given the students assignments, consider providing the museum with a copy before hand, so they can be prepared.

The times that I have seen disasters in museums is when the field trip is treated as just a treat, not as a learning experience and a privilege and no notification is provided to the museum ahead of time. --Just bring the kids and let them run loose...

I think that the Body Worlds exhibit is not too mature for seventh graders and could really help them understand anatomy in a way that a textbook never could, but the trip could be a disaster if preparations are not made. As for the religious and ethical concerns, discuss them beforehand with both students and parents. There is information on the website about these issues.

[Daphne]

Thanks, MO and Annette, for your replies. They were both very helpful. I have to talk to my partner before any decision is made, but your input is much appreciated! I'll let you know what happens...
:)
Daph