The Science of Guinness World Records Exhibit Review
Our family has always enjoyed reading the Guinness World Records books each year, so we were especially excited to visit The Science of Guinness World Records exhibit at Union Station. The exhibit took us behind the scenes to discover what it takes to break a world record. We were even able to try to break a record ourselves!
Upon arriving, we registered at a digital kiosk. It took our fingerprints to help us create a profile to use throughout the experience. Once registered, you can check out the many world records that have been made throughout the years. Each display was interactive and included a scientific explanation for how a record could be broken, what it takes to perform the task, and who holds the current record. Then you can try the task yourself! You simply scan your fingerprint to pull up your profile, complete the task, and the computer logs your score and ranks it alongside the other visitors’ scores and the world record holder’s score. Seeing our scores up against the record holder’s scores was quite eye-opening!
The exhibit felt like an interactive arcade. Our children were running from challenge to challenge with excitement. Challenges included tasks like the most drumbeats in a minute, the longest time someone held their breath, the tallest person in the world, and the longest time hanging from a hang bar. Our highly competitive family found ourselves focused on each task, doing our best to beat a record.
There was something for everyone in our family. My 4-year-old loved the giant puzzle area and basketball displays, while my 10-year-old enjoyed the quick reaction tests and seeing how she sized up to the tallest man in the world’s height and shoe size. My husband tried his best to beat one of the strength records, but was defeated each time. I enjoyed reading the inspirational stories about the record holders and seeing the many artifacts, including the smallest sculptures in the world and the “Plane Loco,” a spectacular steampunk locomotive engine built entirely out of matchsticks. It was 20 feet long, 9 feet high, and 13 feet wide. It was truly amazing to see!
Our family didn’t make history in the record books during our visit, but we left feeling inspired, amazed, and a bit tired (in a good way)! The challenges were a workout for our bodies and our brains, which makes it a definite must-see!
Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives in St. Joseph with her husband, Cale, and daughters, Atley, 10, and Ensley, 4.
