In Surviving, visitors have an opportunity to engage with a variety of multi-media programs, as well as view and touch more than 100 casts of fossil bones from the primate and human records, in a rich exploration of physical anthropology and its relationship to the scientific theories of adaptation. Interactive activities throughout the exhibit enhance a focused examination of the human body in the context of its evolutionary strengths and limitations, while large-screen technologies help give life to complex topics.

"We are excited to present Surviving because it brings human adaptation to life with interactive stations and concept-driven content. The multimedia tools in the exhibit are a great format to present the material in a way that allows our visitors to discover the scientific research behind the theory of evolution and give visitors a different perspective on the history of the human race," said Jon Iszard, President and CEO of The Health Museum.

The exhibit is divided into six major sections, beginning with "Fit for Life," where the visitor takes stock of the inherited human strengths and capabilities that make each individual a "survivor" in our complex world. Endurance, flexibility, balance, dexterity, appetite, and communication capabilities often taken for granted are considered through a dramatic cascading video display.

In "Our Place in the Natural World," the visitor is drawn back millions of years, with the help of images, fossils and interactive graphics, to consider the scientific research of ancestry shared with primates and other mammals.

The search is on in "Finding Your Human Ancestors," where the exhibit traces the evidence regarding human evolution from key discoveries made in Africa, Europe and Asia. A "time tunnel" featuring touchable casts of fossils from the evolutionary record gives the visitor a direct scientific connection with the evidence used by scientists to piece together and understand our evolutionary history.

"Witnessing Evolution" allows visitors to continue their journeys, this time meeting up with famous naturalists from several centuries. A series of interactive "sound chairs" feature seven famous scientists - including Carolus Linnaeus (1701-1778), Charles Darwin (1809-1882), Joseph Leidy (1823-1891), and Mary Leakey (1913-1996) - who offer their perspectives and their sometimes revolutionary ideas "in their own words."

In "We Are Not Perfect, But We Are OK," visitors come face to face with the realities of the imperfect, but remarkable, aspects of their own bodies, formed as they are through the adaptive process. Here, visitors get answers about why their backs may ache, why they have wisdom teeth, and why those teeth may need to be pulled, through an array of models and interactive multi-media displays.

Here, also, is the "Body of Evidence," a three times life-sized recumbent figure of a woman, offering visitors a chance to explore the adaptation-driven characteristics of many joints, through highly detailed, interactive three-dimensional renderings and original animations.

"We Keep Evolving" invites the visitor to access the impact of evolution both today and in the future. Visitors can consider imagined futures as shared by geneticists, evolutionary biologists, nanotechnology engineers, and even school children, through video presentations. Finally, as they leave the exhibit, the visitors will have the opportunity to take part in a poll of ideas about where we are going from here, in evolutionary terms. These ideas will be added to an exhibit that, like the process it is exploring, is also evolving, engaging the visitor in the act of envisioning our shared future.

Surviving: The Body of Evidence was created by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. The exhibit is made possible by the National Science Foundation. Planning for this project was supported by the Heritage Philadelphia Program at the Philadelphia Center for Arts and Heritage, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, and administered by The University of the Arts.

For photos, logos and graphics, contact Stephanie Manning at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA MUSEUM

The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is dedicated to the study and understanding of human history and diversity. Founded in 1887, Penn Museum has sent more than 400 archaeological and anthropological expeditions to all the inhabited continents of the world. With an active exhibit schedule and educational programming for children and adults, the Museum offers the public an opportunity to share in the ongoing discovery of humankind's collective heritage. The Museum can be found on the world wide web at www.museum.upenn.edu. For general information call 215/898-4000.

ABOUT THE HEALTH MUSEUM

The John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science, also known as The Health Museum, is a member institution of the world-renowned Texas Medical Center and is located in the heart of Houston's Museum District at 1515 Hermann Drive Houston, TX 77004. Recent additions to the museum include You: The Exhibit, a highly interactive look at the physical, psychological and future you, and the McGovern 4D Theater, Houston's only 4D theater, where 3D films and environmental effects like wind, rain, fog and lightning combine to create a memorable experience.

Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. General Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children ages 3 - 12 and senior adults. Museum members and children two years of age and under are admitted free. Group discount rates and school field trip information are available by calling 713-521-1515, ext. 121. For information about the Museum or its programs, please call 713-521-1515 or visit www.thehealthmuseum.org.

The John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science is an interactive and entertaining science experience for all ages that promotes understanding and appreciation of the human body, mind and spirit and inspires a lifelong commitment to health and wellness.

Source: John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science