NUI, Galway

As part of the international Brain Awareness Week, staff and students of NUI Galway’s Neuroscience Centre held a public information exhibit ‘My Amazing Brain’ on Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th March in the Aula Maxima, NUI Galway. Over 450 transition year school children (approx 14 – 15 years old) from local schools visited the exhibit to learn more about how the brain and nervous system work. Approximately 50 school children explored the exhibit every hour during the event, which consisted of interactive displays where they learned about the brain in a hands-on way. There were stations exploring how neurones work, brain cell histology using microscopy, colour perception, optical illusions, spatial memory, brain evolution, mirror writing, brain waves using EEG and hand-eye coordination using rotary pursuit. There was also lots of general information and a quiz for the students to complete about the brain and brain disorders. On display was a series of large information posters prepared by the staff and postgraduate students of NUI Galway Neuroscience Centre. The posters cover a variety of illnesses including: Epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Pain, Anxiety, Depression, Schizophrenia, Autism, Alzheimer’s disease, Stroke, Brain injury and Spinal cord injury.