The Devouring Element: Lead’s Impact on Health
Opening on October 27, 2008, The Devouring Element: Lead’s Impact on Health examines changing notions of the utility and danger of lead and human health from classical times until the present.
Featuring unique specimens, both biological (wet specimens, bones), artificial (plaster casts, medical instruments), as well as images, rare books and manuscripts from the Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, The Devouring Element: Lead’s Impact on Health shows that, for most of human history, lead’s involvement in human biological development was viewed as natural, despite known dangers. Only with the development of genetics, chemistry, and molecular biology has lead’s poisonous effects on health been understood.
The Devouring Element: Lead’s Impact on Health is developed in collaboration with PhillyHealthInfo.org, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, and the National Nursing Centers Consortium.
Through a generous grant from the Maurice Romy Foundation, The Mütter Museum is offering a limited number of class scholarships for museum visits. Each scholarship pays for school bus transportation to and from the museum, admission for up to thirty students and three chaperones, a guided tour of the museum, and a 45 minute Mütter Lesson. Middle and high school teachers at schools in Philadelphia are invited to apply for these scholarships through the Museum’s website at http://www.collphyphil.org/scholarship.html. Awardees will be chosen based on student financial need and a brief teacher statement. These scholarships will be awarded on a first come basis. Classes must be scheduled for visitation prior to March 2009.
Teachers, your 6th through 8th graders can win gift cards and a pizza party for your class by participating in our Lead Awareness Poster Content. Click here to find out how. Plus, you’ll find all kinds of great information about lead awareness on our Childhood Lead Safety page. If you’re planning on visiting our exhibit, use the following pre- and post-quizzes to test your students awareness of lead safety issues: