By Candace Adrian
Lightning strikes as you lie awake in the dark. An eerie quietness fills the air. All of a sudden, bursts of thunder send shrieking rumbles through the sky. Fear has taken hold as goose bumps form, standing the hairs on your arm straight up. But why?
The new exhibit at COSI, titled Goose Bumps! The Science of Fear, attempts to create fear in its visitors through a series of safe, entertaining challenges and interactive exhibits, while teaching why and how fear is created.
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Dr. David Bibas, California Science Center Curator of Technology Programs and exhibit organizer, designed a 6,000-square-foot exhibit which first debuted at the California Science Center and has made its first stop on its traveling tour at COSI.
One of the biggest draws to the exhibit is in the Fear Challenge Course, where visitors can test certain fears - animals, electric shock, loud noises or the fear of falling. Public Relations Director Kelli Gaza Nowinsky says the course offers several fun and interesting challenges that allow guests to learn about the fears people face every day.
“Everyone has a fear of falling so when you are strapped in and falling backwards, there is an element of fear that is not terrifying so it is fun,” she says.
Other parts of the exhibit include an area called “Faces of Emotion” where guests can see what fear looks like in facial expressions. In the Fear Lab, guests meet Mr. Goosebumps who shows how the brain and body work in response to particular fears through animation.
Gaza Nowinsky says the exhibit appeals to all ages and everyone will be able to learn something new. Adult visitors might enjoy learning about fear created in the media concerning our economy, homes, etc. This section particularly looks at how new inventions have induced new fears in society, such as when the microwave caused people to fear over exposure to radiation.
Since the exhibit’s opening in February, there has been a positive response from visitors to which Gaza Nowinsky credits the topic of fear being something to which everyone can relate.
“The exhibit is so interesting because everyone knows what it’s like to have their palms sweat or to get nervous when speaking in front of a crowd, but the exhibit teaches you how and why this happens and even offers ways to cope with such fears,” she says.
Guests can visit the exhibit five days a week through May 4 and seven days a week during spring break, which is March 15-30. Admission to COSI is $12.50 for adults, $7.50 for youth (2 -12 years old), $10.50 for senior citizens and free to children under 24 months and COSI Members. For more information, visit www.cosi.org or call 614.228.COSI.