The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita is proud to be the presenting sponsor of "Health Inside Out," a new, permanent exhibit at Exploration Place inspiring healthy habits and future health care heroes.

More than three years in the making, the 3,500-square-foot, $1.5 million addition includes 16 hands-on interactive experiences, including:   

• Whack-a-Virus – a pandemic-inspired version of Whack-a-Mole
• Emotional Roller Coaster – a motion-based simulator exploring mental health themes
• Health Heroes – educational play inside a real EMS helicopter (donated by Bell)
• Skeleton Mirror – an augmented reality look at your own skeleton
• What’s My Job? – a wheel of fortune encouraging health care career exploration
• Operation – a life-sized version of the classic children’s game
• Nutrition Skee-ball – where points are scored for healthy eating
• That’s Too Loud – an interactive scream booth that teaches hearing protection
• Giant Eye – where guests control the movement of a 6-foot diameter eyeball
• Everybody Move – an augmented reality game encouraging exercise and heart health

According to America’s Health Rankings, Kansas has experienced the largest decline in national health rankings of any state in the past 30 years. From the eighth healthiest state in 1991, Kansas was ranked just 29th in 2021. “Health Inside Out” aims to reverse this trend by promoting healthy behaviors and helping prepare the health care workforce of tomorrow. 

“We want to inspire a fascination with the human body, in people of all ages,” said Adam Smith, president and CEO of Exploration Place. “And what better way to do it than through the kind of fun, interactive, science-based exhibits that are the signature of Exploration Place?”

Equally, KU School of Medicine-Wichita, KU Wichita Medical Practice Association and the medical school's departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Family & Community Medicine, and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences are providing the financial support as the presenting sponsors for "Health Inside Out."

“Helping our youth and their families learn how their bodies work and maintain a healthy lifestyle is important to our educational mission at KU School of Medicine-Wichita,” said Garold Minns, M.D., dean, KU School of Medicine-Wichita. “In the process, we hope some youngsters will become interested in various health care careers.”

The exhibit was also made possible with the generous support of more than 50 donors, including the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Bell, Delta Dental of Kansas, Don and Lora Barry, Envision, the Kansas Health Foundation, the Star Charitable Foundation, Drs. Mark and Kathy Melhorn, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation and the Riverside Health Foundation. Additional supporters include Phil and Judy Frick, Dr. Deborah Haynes and Dr. Larry Beamer, The Fidelity Bank Foundation, Cargill Cares, Dr. Dennis and Ann Ross, an anonymous fund at the Wichita Community Foundation, the Downing Family Foundation, Beach Family Foundation, Skyward Credit Union, UnitedHealthcare and the Lattner Family Foundation.

See more photos of the new exhibit in the photo album below, and check back for additional photos: