‘Blood And Guts’ Cultivates Curiosity Science Fest Aims To Raise Interest

Wed., June 25, 1997

By Jeanette White jeanettew@spokesman.com

First the heart split in half. Then the bladder toppled to the gymnasium floor.

But finally 9-year-old Michael Fisch knelt on the plastic imitation of a human torso and declared the puzzle complete.

“He is … ALIVE!” called Fisch’s buddies, who helped him put the organs in their proper places, or at least close.

Nearly 1,000 kids laughed and played their way through a hands-on science exhibit dubbed “Blood and Guts” at the West Central Community Center on Tuesday.

The one-day show was the first of the Seafirst Jammin’ Science Fest’s statewide summer tour.

While kids flocked to the organ puzzle, a brain in a clear-plastic container stole the show.

“What does it look like on the inside?” asked Christopher Scripture-Smith, 7. “Is it squishy? Why is it wrinkly? Would you have slime on your fingers if you touched it?”

Christopher was disappointed to learn the hands-on portion of the free show didn’t include the preserved brain, donated to science by its owner.

“My favorite thing here is everything,” said Christopher, a home-school student attending with his mom. “But what I really like is the X-rays and the real parts of the body.”

“A lot of them ask if they can touch it, but it’s a little bit fragile,” Karrie Berglund, the exhibit’s head teacher, said of the brain.

Across the gym, a girl piecing together a circulation puzzle learned it takes blood 20 seconds to make a trip through her body.

Another girl walking a yellow wooden beam learned that liquid in her ears helps her balance.

Dozens of children raised fists in the air to show the approximate size of their hearts.

The traveling festival, aimed at youngsters 5 to 12, will move to Wenatchee next for a Thursday exhibit.

“What we’re really trying to do is just create an early interest in science,” said Seafirst spokeswoman Sheri Pollack.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

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