Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

We propose to propagate the basic knowledge of Neuroscience to general public in a local mall during the week, given to the success of our exhibition last year, reaching over thousand members of the community. Our BAW 2015 theme was “Do you know what goes on in your head?” which represent our general aim of getting people of all ages to understand how brain works in different situation, as well increase the curiosity about the perception and the senses. This year, besides the improvement of existing modules, we also included new activities, such as multigenerational games and a space to explore differences in synaptic transmission in the elderly. Volunteer students, as well postdocs of the Pharmacology Department at UFSC orientated the visitors about the brain function. The main addressed subjects were aging and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, learning and memory, and sleeping. Popular psychology myths, drug addiction, and keeping an aging brain healthy were topics abundantly discussed. Books and videos related to neuroscience were available to visitors who were also encouraged to play memory and logic games. Puzzles, paintings, and drawings were accessible to children. People participated of two interactive stations; the first one consisted of a sensory station to explore hearing, touch, smell/taste, and sight with optical illusions. The members of the community reported enjoyment participating in brain awareness.

The BAW activity was important for our graduation program, including massive interest in grad student to spread science. The community received the activities and ideas, increasing the interest in understand basic concepts in neuroscience. We provide an important collaboration with local businesses in promote a scientific event.

Interactive actions and games are more attractive