Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey–New Brunswick

We have an exhibit called “Gray Matters” at the annual Rutgers Day event, which is free and open to the general public. We have several activities at our booth:
1. Prism goggles bean bag toss: Participants tossed bean bags toward a target, with or without a pair of prism goggles. We explained the input-output neurocircuits and how neuroplasticity helped them adjust their aim with or without goggles.

2. Golgi stained brain sections under the microscope: We showed Golgi-stained brain sections under the microscope, and explained the structures of a neuron to the participants.

3. Reaction time testing: Participants were asked to catch a falling ruler and their reaction times were calculated based on the tick marks of the ruler. We explained to them the neurocircuits that allowed them to catch the ruler in a timely fashion.

4. Brain models: We had brain models that the participants could take apart and put back together. We explained to them the different areas of the brain and their functions.

5. Booklets from the Dana Foundation were distributed to participants.

We feel that the activities were successful. We generated a lot of interest and our activities were very popular among participants of all ages.

We have generated a lot of interest in neuroscience research. We were also able to directly communicate with many prospective students who are thinking of going into neuroscience or neurology.