Des Moines, Iowa — The Science Center of Iowa is one of the first in the nation to host a touring exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution called, “The Bias Inside Us.”
Center spokeswoman Emilee Richardson says as our country grapples with issues like diversity, equity and inclusion, it’s critical to find new ways to understand and seek solutions. She says one part of the exhibit features everyday objects, like a notebook, to demonstrate bias.
The Des Moines facility is perhaps best known for exhibits that showcase dinosaurs, the weather or space exploration, but on occasion, the exhibits will branch off and take us out of our comfort zones — in order to look inward.
The exhibit features compelling images, hands-on interactives and powerful testimonials and videos. There are hard topics we have to face as a society today, and Richardson says the exhibit helps visitors to understand those topics and learn to be able to discuss them.
We’re a product of our environment yet we can “retrain our brain,” Richardson says, to reflect, adjust and move forward in the world. The exhibit is on its fourth stop of a four-year, 40-city tour. It will only be in Des Moines through August 8th. you can visit them online at sciowa.org
