Oklahoma City Science Museum Closes Popular 'Mighty Mouth' Exhibit for Renovations

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  Science and Technology on Mon, Nov 10th, 2025 by koco.com

Oklahoma City Science Museum to Close “Mighty Mouth” Exhibit for Renovations

Oklahoma City, OK – The local science museum is shutting down one of its most popular hands‑on attractions for a comprehensive overhaul. The “Mighty Mouth,” a life‑size model of the human oral cavity that lets visitors explore the mechanics of chewing and digestion, will be closed from mid‑May through the summer. The renovations aim to refresh the exhibit’s mechanics, update the educational content, and ensure it remains safe and engaging for future generations of curious minds.

What the “Mighty Mouth” Offers

The “Mighty Mouth” is a signature feature of the Science Museum Oklahoma’s (SMO) interactive “Living Planet” wing. Designed in the early 2010s, the exhibit is a towering, fully articulated mouth that demonstrates the interplay of teeth, tongue, jaw, and saliva in the process of eating. Visitors can trigger the mechanism by selecting various food items—such as a slice of bread, a piece of fruit, or a gummy candy—from a touchscreen console. The model then shows how each food is ground, chewed, and broken down, complete with sound effects that mimic real chewing and swallowing.

Over the years, the exhibit has become a favorite for school field trips, birthday parties, and families looking for a “hands‑on” experience that mixes fun with biology. According to museum staff, the “Mighty Mouth” has attracted more than 50,000 visitors since it opened in 2015, and it’s been cited in local school curricula as a key visual aid for teaching oral health and digestive science.

Why the Renovations Are Needed

As the exhibit’s popularity grew, so did wear and tear on its mechanical components. “We’ve seen a lot of foot traffic,” explained Dr. Lisa Patel, the museum’s Director of Educational Programs. “While we’re thrilled the kids love it, the moving parts need a little TLC to keep them running smoothly.” The museum’s engineering team identified several components that required replacement or reinforcement, including the jaw motors, the tongue’s articulation system, and the internal hydraulic lines that simulate saliva flow.

In addition, the museum has updated its educational content to reflect new scientific findings and to incorporate interactive technology that appeals to Gen‑Z visitors. “The science of chewing is a living field,” Dr. Patel said. “We want to make sure our exhibit reflects the latest research on nutrition, dental hygiene, and even the psychology of taste.”

Renovation Timeline and Impact on Visitors

The “Mighty Mouth” will be removed from the exhibit hall on Monday, May 14, and is slated to reopen in late July. During this period, the museum will be open to the public as usual, though visitors will be asked to stay clear of the former exhibit’s footprint. “We’ve added a small signage display to keep families informed about the renovation schedule,” noted museum staff.

“We anticipate that the closure will not impact the museum’s overall visitor numbers,” said Maria Gonzalez, the museum’s Operations Manager. “In fact, the updates will enhance the experience for everyone who comes in. We’re planning to add a new “Taste Lab” space that will allow kids to test how different foods interact with saliva in a controlled environment.”

Community Response

The museum’s decision to renovate the “Mighty Mouth” has been met with enthusiastic support from parents, educators, and local businesses. The Oklahoma City Journal ran a feature on the exhibit, quoting a high school science teacher who says the model has “made the abstract concept of digestion tangible for my students.” Meanwhile, a local bakery, Sweet Tooth, expressed excitement about a potential partnership that could showcase the museum’s new “Taste Lab” with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

The museum also announced a community “pre‑opening” event scheduled for August 12, 2025, which will allow families to preview the updated exhibit and receive exclusive behind‑the‑scenes access to the engineering team. Tickets will be free for children under 12 and will require a reservation through the museum’s online booking system. (See the museum’s official event page here: https://www.sciencemuseumok.org/events).

Looking Ahead

Beyond the “Mighty Mouth,” the Science Museum Oklahoma is part of a larger campus‑wide upgrade that includes a new STEM enrichment center, a renovated dinosaur hall, and a state‑of‑the‑art planetarium. The “Mighty Mouth” is expected to serve as a cornerstone of this new era of interactive science education, bridging the gap between biology, technology, and public health.

“We’re proud to have a fixture like the Mighty Mouth that has educated and inspired so many people,” Dr. Patel said. “And we’re equally proud to be investing in its future—so that the next generation of students will continue to explore the wonders of the human body in a safe, engaging, and up‑to‑date environment.”

For updates on the renovation progress, follow the Science Museum Oklahoma on Twitter @SMOUpdates or subscribe to the museum’s newsletter on their website. If you’re planning a field trip or a family outing, check the museum’s operating hours and special event calendar at https://www.sciencemuseumok.org/visitors.

This article was compiled from the Koco News report titled “Science Museum Oklahoma’s Mighty Mouth Exhibit Close for Renovations” (https://www.koco.com/article/science-museum-oklahoma-mighty-mouth-exhibit-close-renovations/69365451). Additional information was gathered from linked pages within the article, including the museum’s official website and event announcements.