Acclaimed Grossology Tour Makes Successful U.S. Debut

"Edutainment" attraction breaks attendance records at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the St. Louis Science Center

February 26, 2001 - The Grossology "edutainment" attraction ­based on the theory of teaching science through "gross" things ­ recently debuted at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland, Ore., and the St. Louis Science Center in St. Louis, Mo., where it set all-time attendance records for both organizations.

Inspired by the children's best-selling book Grossology, the 6,000-square-foot exhibition, created by Advanced Exhibits, in association with ScienceWorld British Columbia, features a multitude of interactive games and experiences that use sophisticated animatronic displays to teach what our body's biology does to keep us healthy. For instance, visitors can explore the role of the kidneys through a virtual reality experience, find out what causes runny noses with Nigel Nose-it-All, or play "Gas Attack" pinball and score points by hitting bumpers disguised as foods that cause gas.

Grossology author, teacher, curriculum designer and microbiologist Sylvia Branzei further explains, "This is science in disguise. When we teach kids in their own words, they understand better and actually learn. Both the book and the attraction start with the slang that kids delight in using to describe bodily functions, then present the science behind what they know their bodies do."

Since the exhibition's premier, OMSI has welcomed more than 100,000 visitors to the world of Grossology. This is double the regular attendance at the museum for this period of the year. "Grossology is an unbelievable hit, and crowds keep growing each week as the word gets out," said OMSI Public Relations Manager Karen Kane.

Attendance figures for Grossology at the St. Louis Science Center are 250% above initial projections, which were based on previous years' exhibits at the Center.

"Opening weekend of Grossology was our second largest in actual number of visitors compared to other traveling exhibition openings during the past four years, and our best weekend in terms of capture rate, at almost 35%. Grossology is even outselling our OMNIMAX," said Gretchen Jaspering, vice president of marketing and communications. "The visitors just keep coming. They are excited about the exhibit and the Science Center, which has the added benefit of making our membership sales very high right now."

"We are extremely pleased by the success of Grossology and look forward to sharing this experience with children, parents and teachers as it continues to tour the United States. It is truly a unique exhibition that promotes the scientific discovery of the human body with a dose of entertainment that kids find most appealing," said Advanced Exhibits' General Manager, Terry Sparks.

The Grossology tour ­ which is visiting science centers, children's museums and amusement parks throughout North America over a five-year period ­ first debuted February 2000 in Canada, where it set all-time attendance records at ScienceWorld British Columbia and became one of the most visited venues at Toronto's Ontario Place Park.

Grossology is at OMSI until April 29, 2001, and at the St. Louis Science Center through May 8, 2001. The exhibition will then continue its tour with appearances at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul and the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, N.J. Additional Grossology exhibition information, including the current tour schedule, can be found at www.grossologytour.com.

About the Exhibition's Developers - Advanced Exhibits and Science World British Columbia

Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body exhibition was developed through the partnership of ScienceWorld British Columbia and Advanced Exhibits. It is the first collaboration between the two organizations in developing a tour.

Additional Advanced Exhibits and Science World British Columbia information can be found at www.advancedanimations.com and at www.scienceworld.bc.ca.

Editor's Note: Photos of Grossology's interactive games and experiences are available upon request.