Chemistry of Plastination Lab

Body Worlds Decoded

Grades: 8-12
Duration: 60 minutes

Available Times: 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12:30 p.m.
Available Dates: November 18-21, 2025 • January 27-30, 2026 • March 10-13, 2026 • April 21-24, 2026
Concepts/Skills: Plastination, solvents, polarity, pressure, vapor point

 

More than just anatomy, Body Worlds Decoded is also a display of advanced chemical processes. Students investigate and experiment with some of the chemistry behind the preservation process of Body Worlds.

Lab Guide

Design a robust learning experience by selecting resources from this guide that fit the needs of your students. Reinforce learning before, after and even during your visit by diving deeper into some of the science and engineering concepts.

Lab-Related Activities

To Donate or Not to Donate

Grades 8-12

Students research and develop an argument for whether or not to donate their bodies to a future Body Worlds exhibition.

Lesson: 60 minutes

Vocabulary Choice Board

Grades K-12

Vocabulary activities to pair with one of our labs or other STEM activities.

Lesson: 20-30 min

Chemistry of Plastination Lab

Exhibit Connections

Make connections between learning from the lab and the exhibits and programs found in The Tech Interactive’s galleries. For more exhibit connections, see the Lab Guide above.

  • Body Worlds Decoded

    Students use augmented reality and other emerging technologies to examine organs and body systems through immersive 3D models. Students can view the chemical signals of neurons, X-ray and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) images of internal organs, and external influences on the human body. 

    *Warning this exhibit contains sensitive content featuring the human body.

    Learn More

Standards Connections

Next Generation Science Standards  
Grades Physical Sciences Disciplinary Core Ideas Description Science and Engineering Practices
8 MS-PS1-2

PS1.A
PS1.B

 Structure and Function Systems and System Models 2, 3, 7, 8
 9-12 HS-PS1-3
HS-PS2-6		 PS1.A
PS2.B		 Structure and Function Patterns 2, 3, 7, 8