Goosebumps The Science of Fear

Saturday, December 27, 2014

It is really hard to find things to do the weekend after Christmas. It seems that the revelry is not quite over and people are still hanging around the house with their families. There were some though that did get out of the house. The Fernbank Museum of Natural History has rotating exhibits and lately they have been showcasing Goosebumps: The Science of Fear. Exactly what it sounds like, the exhibit explores different fears and phobias through interactive displays. Have a fear of falling? Try and conquer it by being strapped into a board that flies backwards onto a pad? Have a fear of creepy crawly things? Study snakes, spiders and cockroaches in terrariums and then stick your hands in a box to see if their mates are lurking close by. Whatever your fear, the exhibit tries to explain it and what happens to the body when you are afraid.

Kiana Wells checks out an interactive display in the Goosebumps: The Science of Fear exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Kiana Wells checks out an interactive display in the Goosebumps: The Science of Fear exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Jose Abdiel Santiago's facial expressions are recorded as he falls backwards in an interactive display in the Goosebumps: The Science of Fear exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Jose Abdiel Santiago’s facial expressions are recorded as he falls backwards in an interactive display in the Goosebumps: The Science of Fear exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Jose Alfredo Santiago (center) and his brother Jose Abdiel watch a tarantula in its cage in an interactive display in the Goosebumps: The Science of Fear exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Jose Alfredo Santiago (center) and his brother Jose Abdiel watch a tarantula in its cage in an interactive display in the Goosebumps: The Science of Fear exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Jose Alfredo Santiago (left) jumps out of his seat after being given a small electric shock as Fernando Vergara watches in an interactive display in the Goosebumps: The Science of Fear exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Jose Alfredo Santiago (left) jumps out of his seat after being given a small electric shock as Fernando Vergara watches in an interactive display in the Goosebumps: The Science of Fear exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Dr. Dean Tucker (left) and his granddaughter Lydia Morley check out an interactive display in the Goosebumps: The Science of Fear exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Dr. Dean Tucker (left) and his granddaughter Lydia Morley check out an interactive display in the Goosebumps: The Science of Fear exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Eden Thome (left) is held by her mother Shani as they check out an interactive display in the Goosebumps: The Science of Fear exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Eden Thome (left) is held by her mother Shani as they check out an interactive display in the Goosebumps: The Science of Fear exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Tiara Conrey tries her depth perception in the Sensing Nature exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Tiara Conrey tries her depth perception in the Sensing Nature exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Ashley Medlock (left) and her sister Lauren play with light and mirrors in the Sensing Nature exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Ashley Medlock (left) and her sister Lauren play with light and mirrors in the Sensing Nature exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Surrounded by dinosaur fossils, Jose Martinez (left), his daughter Allyson and wife Maria take a look at an exhibit in the lobby of the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Surrounded by dinosaur fossils, Jose Martinez (left), his daughter Allyson and wife Maria take a look at an exhibit in the lobby of the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2014.