Modeling the mind: Using 3D printing to understand the brain and its responses to exercise

Event Description:

We will Celebrate Brain Awareness Week through a series of creative, innovative activities targeting high school students, university students, and the general public. Activities include 1) a school program incorporating 3D printing, 2) a live interview and podcast, 3) a social media campaign, and 4) poster distribution. Specifics regarding the school program and live interview and podcast are below.

School Program: We are incorporating a school program through existing partnerships with the Seattle University Youth Initiative and Seattle University Center for Community Engagement. The objective of this program is to provide education to high school students on the brain and neural control of movement, scientific techniques used to examine the brain, and the effect of exercise on brain health. Graduate students in the MS Kinesiology program at Seattle University will visit a local high school for two in-person sessions. For the first session (March 2), graduate students will lead educational activities on the brain, neural control of movement, and scientific techniques to examine the brain. The session will conclude with the design of brain models for 3D printing. For the second session (March 9), graduate students will return to the high school to teach students about brain structures impacted by exercise and how exercise can positively influence cognitive functioning. Additionally, graduate students will work with their classrooms to print 3D brains designed during the first session. Brain models will be printed with a 3D printer in our Kinesiology Mobile Laboratory, designed to bring science and technology out of the lab and into the community. Students will also be given a tour of the Kinesiology Mobile Laboratory.

Live Interview and Podcast. We will host a live interview featuring a guest who will speak to brain awareness and brain science. The podcast will be held on Tuesday, March 8 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am PST. The live lecture will be recorded and published as part of the Kinesiology Department’s monthly Redhawk Squawk podcast. You will be able to find the podcast recording on the Seattle University Kinesiology Department’s website, Podbean, and Spotify. Advanced registration for the live interview is required. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/redhawk-squawk-podcast-tickets-180260964397