Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum is opening a new excrement exhibition this summer, with visitors getting the opportunity to “travel like a poo”.
Opening on 21 July, the ‘Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You‘ exhibition experience takes guests on a voyage through the digestive system.
Steven Leech, the museum’s curator of exhibitions, said: “From slobber to stomach acid and vomit to poo, this exhibition challenges taboos and proves it’s healthy to understand and discuss how our bodies work.”
The exhibition is a “playful early experience that builds confidence in young people who want to explore science“, Leech added.
In the exhibition, based on hit CBBC show Operation Ouch!, visitors join presenters Dr Chris, Dr Xand and Dr Ronx. They are shrunk, swallowed, squeezed through and spat out of Dr Xand’s digestive system.
“Whoooo, poo is my absolute favourite subject, and to be honest the only way to teach you about the digestive system is to make you part of it,” said Dr Ronx.
“From the tip of Xand’s tongue to his bum, we are gonna get up close and personal. We want all your senses activated leaving you a mixture of grossed out, fascinated and basically a poo boffin like me.”
The function of each digestive organ is uncovered through interactive activities, including a smelly challenge to find out how food is broken down and a ‘poo-duction line’ to move waste through the large intestine and out the other end.
On display will be a collection of unique items, including a penny removed from a child’s stomach nearly 100 years ago, and ancient objects gifted to the gods in a bid to cure digestive problems.
‘Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You‘
Also featured in the exhibition is ‘Vomiting Larry’, a humanoid robot that assesses environmental contamination by projectile vomiting.
“Find out how your food gets mashed, pulped, squeezed and absorbed – and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of your incredible digestive system,” said Dr Chris and Dr Xand.
“Our bodies are amazing! There’s nothing we wouldn’t do to demonstrate all the wonderful ways they work and this exhibition is proof!
“So make sure you come along and get digested at the Science and Industry Museum – it’ll be absolutely disgusting!”
The exhibition is brought to life through innovative set design and unique displays by the Science and Industry Museum, BBC, 141 and Sarner International, the leading experiential design expert.
Image: BBC / Science Museum Group
