Know Your ‘Identity’ Yet?

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT > FEATURES

New Trump Plaza interactive exhibit, presented by the Franklin Institute,  explores aspects of human identity through Sept. 3.

By Lori Hoffman  

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Jun. 13, 2012

One of the complaints heard about Atlantic City is that it isn’t family friendly enough, and lacks activities for kids. Personally, I’ve always thought that was a weak argument, starting with the beach and Boardwalk, and such attractions as the Steel Pier, Atlantic City Lighthouse and Atlantic City Aquarium. 

Trump Plaza is adding to the list of family activities this summer with a traveling exhibition from Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute, IDENTITY: An Exhibition of You. This hands-on interactive exhibit explores the three elements that combine to form personal identity — the physical, psychological and social elements in your life that make you tick. DNA might be the primary building block, but as you’ll learn during a walk through the exhibit, social and cultural influences are a major part of the person you become. 

IDENTITY was first created in 2007 and this is the first time the exhibit has been in a non-museum setting. General Manager of the exhibit, Jackie Jircitano, explains that Trump Plaza contacted the Franklin Institute looking for something that would work in the casino setting and settled on the IDENTITY touring exhibition. 

Be forewarned that the exhibit is not visually interesting. It is rather plain with its series of interactive stations. However that first impression will fade quickly as you engage in the various psychological tests and learn about how DNA, your brain and the people around you shape your personality. 

One interesting fact that caught my attention was that only 0.01 percent of your DNA is dedicated to appearance, including the shape of your face, your skin color and other physical features. Right away the exhibit tosses away the notion that human beings of different ethnic groups are all that different based strictly on their DNA. 

I found out about the different types of fingerprints we have. While fingerprints are unique to each person, there are specific styles of fingerprint that we share. I now know that I have arch fingerprints. 

So how different are male and female brains really? One psychological test that reveals your male and female characteristics was fascinating. My test score was 108 male, 103 female, making me a balanced individual and showing how important the environment is to self-identity. I grew up the daughter of a sportswriter and athletic mother with three brothers, so the test confirmed my own notions of my gender breakdown. 

My friend Sally also took the test. She was one of 12 children and had a lot of adult-like responsibilities taking care of her siblings growing up, so her 77 male, 117 female score certainly reflected her background. 

With 25 different interactive stations, there is plenty to explore at IDENTITY including making music that matches your personality, a smell-o-meter station where you can react to various smells, and a breakdown of the brain that shows what each portion of the brain contributes to your overall function and personality. 

The exhibition is entertaining and informative, and should be a fun time for families with kids that are 9-years-old and above. 

The IDENTITY exhibition is located on the Boardwalk side of the casino in the east tower. If you arrive via the self-parking garage, you will be walking the length of the casino and will find the exhibit near the Boardwalk entrance on the left hand side.

‘IDENTITY:  An Exhibition of You’ 

Presented by the Franklin Institute 

Where: Trump Plaza 

When: Now to Sept. 3, open noon-7pm daily 

How Much: $10, adults  ($2 discount with Trump One card);  $8, children 12 and under  

The new interactive exhibit at Trump Plaza