‘Sexy Science’ shows students suggestive side of KU Natural History Museum
- Sep. 13, 2012
- 0 Comments
- udkne.ws/QGDNCS
The KU Natural History Museum is bringing sexy back.
Students can visit the museum tonight to learn about group sex among mollusk species, cannibalistic sex among spiders and bees that explode after copulating.
The event, at the museum in Dyche Hall at 5 p.m., is called “Sexy Science,” and it kicks off the fall lineup of new events.
Bekkah Lamp, a memeber of the Public Education Department in the Natural History Museum, shows Red Lyon patrons a chemical reaction taking place in a glass cup. The Natural History Museum put on the event Bar Science Wednesday night to get people more involved in scientific experiments.
“Sexy Science focuses on the suggestive side of natural history,” said Kitty Steffens, visitor services and events coordinator for the museum. “It will help students look at science in an exciting and different way.”
For ages 18 and older, the event includes “Condom Olympics,” where students compete to properly put condoms on models while blindfolded or wearing beer goggles. Visitors can also look forward to a museum-wide scavenger hunt, refreshments and prizes including t-shirts, water bottles and condoms.
Chris Wildgen, a senior from Lawrence, works at the museum and hopes “Sexy Science” will stimulate students’ interest in the museum.
“It’s edgy,” Wildgen said. “The sexual nature of the event entices the college demographic to explore the museum and learn about science.”
The museum is always free for students, but Wildgen thinks many have never seen its attractions. Some of the highlights: the world’s largest fossilzed Mosasaur — a prehistoric marine lizard — 12 live snakes and a triceratops skull. A jackrabbit with tiny antlers, commonly known as the mythical jackalope, sits in its own display.
This semester, the museum is tripling the number of events it sponsors and is staying open until 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays to appeal to students and the community.
“Sexy Science” is cosponsored with the student-run Peer Health Education group, which hopes to push safe sex education in a fun atmosphere.
“If you use contraceptives correctly, they can be very effective,” said Ken Sarber, public health educator at the University and an organizer of the event.
Sarber said improper use reduces the effectiveness rate of condoms by 15 percent.
Museum visitors Thursday night will find information about proper use of different types of contraceptives. They’ll also see a demonstration of the strength of condoms that involves filling one with oranges.
“It’s a very fun way to learn about sexual health and safety,” Sarber said.
Marshall Schmidt is a graduate student majoring in biomedical engineering from Mount Hope. Read more from Marshall Schmidt.
