Event 2: California Science Center

I visited the California Science Center today and I had a blast walking around and exploring the whole building, starting from the gift shop to the world of life and ending with the ecosystems. I also got a chance to tour a special exhibition the science center had organized this weekend called, The Science of Fear. I found this exhibit to be unique and special because of its informational content that was shown through their many activities, simulations, and visual displays. Tourists were essentially walking into a lecture hall catered to the topic of fear. What I admired the most out of the science center was definitely the combination of both art and science altogether and how perfectly balanced it was.
I am here to introduce you to Mr. Goosebumps a computerized visual representation of the symptoms of fear. When the amygdala detects fear, it sends signals throughout our body that activates certain organs and body parts. One of the organs is the heart and when the body senses fear it causes it to beat faster. Comparing the amygdala as an onboard 911 operator that is ready for dispatch at all times (Ramirez). This reminded me of week 4 and 7 material. Where we discussed medical technology, neuroscience, and art, more specifically human anatomy. We should credit our understanding of the human body to our ancestors and their curious minds, which led them to dissect bodies to gain a better insight of the human bodily functions. Anatomy is truly the intersection between art and science (Vesna). With the help of medical technology like MRI scans scientists were able to pinpoint what parts of the brain activate during danger and fear encounters. Due to the extensive research that was done on human anatomy, we are able to fully describe the cause and effects of fear at a neuronal and physiological level. In addition, Mr. Goosbumps is a very appealing representation of fear that surely attracts tourists. I think I speak for everyone when I say, it makes it easier to learn when there is a visual representation instead of just words and all clumped up together. If you want to learn more about fear in a song, I also suggest Fearing by the Amygdaloids. Their song is educational but some, like me will find it to be humorous as well. 
The ecosystems were the sections I liked the most from my whole experience at the science center. I was able to experience and read about all different kinds of habitable zones in the world without actually taking a plane there, how amazing is that! In my eyes, I thought the ecosystems exhibit was the complete combination of both art and science at once. It led me to think back to the discussion about the two cultures that Snow mentions, which are the literary intellectuals and natural scientists. Unlike a school setting where many have this belief that these two cultures are separate from each other, I think the California Science Center is a prime example of the bridge between both cultures. The instance where artists use technological tools familiar in the scientific community it creates a triangulated bride between art, science, and technology (Vesna). It was pretty cool how the science center was able to recreate species habitat with respect to their original homes. Whether it was changing the temperatures or the water's salinity, there are a lot of tiny details that are crucial for the survival of these species. Science center's ability to use technological advancements allows them to preserve the wildlife for educational purposes. 

References: 
“Ecosystems.” California Science Center, 4 Oct. 2017,
californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/ecosystems.
“The Science of Fear.” Edutopia, www.edutopia.org/blog/the-science-of-fear-ainissa-ramirez.

Victoria Vesna, Medicine + Technology + Art: Lecture 1 https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/888567/pages/unit-4-view?module_item_id=16300804

Vesna, Victoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Being In Between." Leonardo, vol. 34, no. 2, 2001, pp. 121-125.

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