Event(s) Summary
Number of Events Organized During Brain Awareness Week:
15
Year:
2019
Type of Events Held:
- Other
- Workshop
- Other: Presentation
Target Audiences:
- Elementary school students(1-5)
- General Public
- Middle school students(6-8)
Approximate Number of People Reached:
1143
Details of Major Brain Awareness Week Events/Activities:
During our week long event at the McWane Science Center, 100+ volunteer undergraduate students, graduate students, post docs, and faculty from UAB conducted neuroscience demonstrations. UAB students, trainees and faculty at all levels came together to help bring the magic of neuroscience to the children of Birmingham during a week long program where they hosted a variety of neuroscience demonstrations every day of Spring Break. The following are brief descriptions of the demonstrations: Sheep Brain Dissection: Learn brain structure and function by dissecting a sheep brain! Sensation Station: A chemical only a few people can taste? How do our eyes adapt? Can you feel it, two point discrimination test? We helped kids find the answers to these questions. Illusion Confusion: An optical illusion presentation that will blow your mind! Cow Eye Dissection: Eyes are part of the nervous system too! Kids came to learn eye structure and function by dissecting a cow’s eye! Protect Your Brain: Have you ever wondered why you have to wear a helmet while riding a bike? Our “egg drop” demonstration illustrates why wearing a helmet is so important! Noisy Neurons: Kids were able to learn how neurons communicate and how our muscles work!
Event Planning & Publicity
Publicity Methods Used:
- Social Media
- Other
Other Publicity Methods:
The McWane Science Center advertised the event for over the Birmingham school district spring break week.
Which of These Publicity Methods Was The Most Successful?
Resources
Of the Dana Foundation publications/resources distributed at your event(s), if any, please indicate the three most popular. Please choose up to three. If "other," please indicate below:
- Q&A: Answering Your Questions About The Brain
- More Mindbogglers!
- Staying Sharp Bookmark
- BAW Stickers
- BAW Pencils
- Brain-shaped Erasers
- The Mindboggling Workbook
- Staying Sharp: Successful Aging and the Brain
Which BAW graphic materials did you use in publicizing your events?
- BAW Flyer
- BAW Logos
Feedback & Keys to Success
How do you feel BAW participation benefited your organization and the local community?
The volunteers all had the opportunity to share science with a lay audience in a way that was easily understood. Kids were able to share in the passion for science and become more interested in neuroscience. Community outreach is very important for the ability to get people thinking about science. BAW is a great way to help educate the public about neuroscience! Lots of kids indicated that they would enjoy a career in neuroscience after experiencing some of our activities because science is fun!
Please share any suggestions or lessons learned that may help others plan future events:
Recruit volunteers early Overestimate the amount of supplies you will need.
Did/do you like our Facebook page?
Yes
Was the information provided on Facebook useful?
I did not use information from the BAW facebook page
