London Science Museum

I visited the science museum in London, this was a fantastic experience. Several of the exhibitions at the science museum are about health and medicine. Looking at the history of medicine and how it has developed over the years was amazing. The transformation in the availability of treatments and machines was particularly eye-opening. The use of trephining in the Egyptian times was interesting, showing how the beliefs of people have changed from spiritual to medical.

Further on in the exhibition there were modern models of the body, showcasing how Ancient Egyptians thought the arteries and veins ran and also their understanding of muscle and bone layout. Additionally, there were models of how the human body truly is detailed which were created using modern technology. This was captivating to see as it showed the body in a way which was both factual and accessible. It opened my eyes to the complexity of our bodies and how one little change can cause someone to become drastically ill.

Another exhibition called ‘Who Am I?’ looked into the genetic make-up of each individual human. This was amazing to see as it showed how we really are very different yet similar at the same time. The most interesting aspect of this was how they have mapped the brain of a person; this was portrayed using different colours to represent the separate neuron pathways. The use of MRI scans on many people showed how the brain can be mapped, showing the differences in neuron functions between individuals but also highlighting any genetic disorders such as cancer or Alzheimer’s.

The ‘Who Am I?’ project looked into autism and how it was first looked into as a disease. Investigating the idea of the ‘theory of mind’ really gave me an insight into what it would be like to live with the disease. The disorder affects the prefrontal cortex of the brain which controls reasoning, problem-solving, memory, voluntary movement and sensation. This exhibition allowed me to empathise with those with this condition; their lack of judgement and ability to predict others’ actions must be perplexing for the individual. Working alongside children with the genetic disorder during my volunteering at Ashgate Croft school for children with additional needs (please see separate entry for more details) really allowed me to apply the scientific knowledge to practice empathising with the individual.
 

Seeing the original iron lungs that were used to keep people alive really highlighted how medicine has advanced since the 1930s. The fact that the iron lung was once relied upon to enable polio suffers to breath when the chest muscles were paralysed was shocking when I considered how aged this equipment now looks to a modern eye. This really shows how the views of the general public have changed regarding the high level of technology and care that they expect to be provided in the 21^st century.