Event(s) Summary
Number of Events Organized During Brain Awareness Week:
3
Year:
2022
Type of Events Held:
- Lab Tour
- Lecture/Briefing
- Social Media Campaign
Target Audiences:
- High school students (9-12)
Approximate Number of People Reached:
45
Details of Major Brain Awareness Week Events/Activities:
The initiative included activities prepared by different scientists from Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa (FCUL): Diana Cunha-Reis (BioISI researcher, Epilepsy Aging Lab, GER), Gonçalo Cosme (IBEB PhD Student), José Carlos Dionísio (Animal Biology Department Professor) and Paula Boler Cláudio (Informatics Department Professor) and the support of Marta Bento (BSc. in Biochemistry student, from the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department). Due to this scientific diversity, students were able to know more about brain research since the lectures and workshops covered several topics, ranging from the experimental approaches used in the study of epilepsy, neuropsychiatric diseases, the evaluation of sensory perception and the treatments for neurologic-based diseases such as anxiety caused by heights.
After the restrictions due COVID-19 pandemic, students highlight the importance of this kind of visit, as reported by Margarida Almeida: “I am really enjoying this activity because there have been very few of these in the last years. It is important for us to know the practical aspects of Science and not only the theory”. The hands-on approach used was also very appreciated by the students: ”…not only to learn new things but also to consolidate the scientific subjects from the school curriculum. The microscopes, all the equipment that can help us discover more about the brain… it is very important for us to discover. It brings us closer to Science!”. “ I really liked the laboratorial part – in particular the one about the use of rats in epilepsy study – because we could see how some concepts we learned in school can be applied. Everything seems more real when we do it!”
Event Planning & Publicity
Publicity Methods Used:
- Advertisements
- Emails
- Posters/Flyers
Which of These Publicity Methods Was The Most Successful?
Resources
What downloadable materials from the Foundation did you use for your events?
- Certificate of Participation
What other downloadable materials would you like the Foundation to provide?
- Activities/Experiments
Which BAW graphic materials did you use in publicizing your events?
- Brain Awareness Week Logos
- Brain Awareness Week Facebook Cover Image
- Brain Awareness Week Editable Flyer
Feedback & Keys to Success
How do you feel BAW participation benefited your organization and the local community?
Besides raising awareness of the different approaches used by our Faculty to study the brain and brain diseases, this event also raised interest in the courses ministered by our faculty and attracted applications of final year high school students.
Please share any suggestions or lessons learned that may help others plan future events:
Always plan direct interactions (workshops, activities) with students rather than lectures. This is the best way to engage them to participate and discover.
