Whether it’s triggered by the thought of heights or the sight of an all-too-friendly clown, we all know the tell-tale signs of fear. Your palms get sweaty, your skin goes clammy and your heart starts to race as your body reacts with a fight or flight response – but why?
At the new “Goose Bumps! The Science of Fear” exhibit at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., you can find answers to all your fear-related questions.
“We all experience fear, but many people do not understand why,” said Dr. David Bibas, California Science Center Curator of Technology Programs and exhibit organizer for “Goose Bumps!” “This is the first comprehensive exhibit on fear that engages visitors with fun experiences that trigger an authentic fear response and then motivates them to learn how the brain and body work together in response to danger.“
The exhibit opened Jan. 31 and features 6,000-square feet of fear-inducing environments where you can safely push your fears to the limit while learning why your body responds the way it does.
You’ll start with the Fear Challenge Course, where four challenges will get your heart racing. The Fear of Animals challenge will have you putting your hands into hidden terrariums where creepy crawlers might be waiting to roam over your fingers. The Fear of Electric Shock exhibit will build anxiety while you await small electric zaps. Next, it’s on to the Fear of Loud Noises challenge to test how your body automatically responds to get you out of harm’s way, and then it’s on to the final challenge: Fear of Falling. You’ll experience a sudden loss of support as you fall backwards, then watch the fear come across your face as you see your reaction on video.
Throughout February, the exhibit will also host themed weekends with special fear challenges, games and experiments.
Headed to Fort Lauderdale? Learn more about this traveling exhibit at the Museum of Science and Discovery website.
(Main image: CiCCiO.it used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)
