Laboratorio de Cronobiología, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes

The activities carried out by our team in the framework of the Brain Awareness Week 2015 held on March 20 and 21 in the city of Berazategui. On Friday 20 a “Neuroscience Fair” was offered in the “Municipal Hall Roberto de Vicenzo”, consisting in stands curated by scientists from different neuroscience labs of Buenos Aires, covering topics such as sleep, memory, visual and auditory perception, biological rhythms, development of the nervous system, brain anatomy, among others. Students groups received an informal introductory talk about the importance and scope of neuroscience research. In the afternoon, the exhibition officially opened to t general public, and along with the fair, special lectures were presented: “The doors of perception” by Dr. Patricia Agostino “Chess and neuroscience”, by Dr. Maria Juliana Leone “Flies and humans: brains not so different”, by Drs. Juan Chiesa and Santiago Plano “Myths about the brain”, by Dr. Diego Golombek On March 21, the activities were carried out at the central pedestrian avenue of Berazategui, where a stage was mounted surrounded by 100 chairs and scientists gave the following presentations: “Neuromagic” by Dr. Andrés Rieznik “Neuroscience with the hands” by Dr. Rodrigo Laje “That damn memory,” by Dr. Pedro Bekinschtein Also, a selection of stands from the previous day was presented. We estimate that the event reached an audience of over 1000 people, an important number as this was the first BAW event in the province.

From our point of view, we believe organizing this event has been a wonderful formating experience for all the people involved. It was quite a challenge which was fortunately successful and rewarding. We also think the event had a tremendous effect on high school students who had no real idea of what research in neuroscience implies. A lot of kids demonstrated large interest in pursuing scientific careers. We believe this is even more important than learning on the specific topics presented.

– Plan in advance. VERY much in advance. – Be conservative with your budget. Most of the expenses, including unexpected ones, will come in the few days before the event. – Don’t think you will be able to take care of everything you think you can take care of. You won’t. Ask for help. – If it’s expensive, and not indispensable, push it to the end of the list. Think twice if you will actually gain something from it. – Don’t trust in the well-functioning of bureaucracy. People who are not really involved in the event will seldomly put much of their energies on it. Make sure that they actually do something before assuming they did. – HAVE FUN WHILE DOING IT ALL.