University of Buea

The BAW 2020 was celebrated by our team under the theme “How to keep my brain healthy for a better education”. The objective of our celebration was to raise the awareness of the general population and school-aged children about the brain health with a great focus on how alcohol and others addictive drugs can impair learning capacities and lead to poor education. The first school we visited was an elementary school. There, the pupils had a lesson adapted to their grade on brain anatomy and physiology followed by a general sensitization using posters and drama on how tobacco, alcohol and other addictive substances can interfere with the normal functioning of their brains and disrupt learning processes. They were also encouraged to protect their brain through good food habits and some sporting and reading activities. At the end of the presentations, children were given a colouring activity and the best five were rewarded. For the other participants, flyers were given as take home messages and they also received biscuits and sweets. The activities ended by a family photo. The pupils were very happy and excited to discover the brain.The second school were we had an activity was a high school. We started our activities by an oral and poster presentations which led to a classroom discussion and groups works. Students really participated on the discussion, asked good questions and also gave relevant contributions on the topic. After, a quiz was given to students and the best five were rewarded.Unfortunately, activities had to stop abruptly on Wednesday 18Th because of schools’ closure due to COVID 19 Pandemic. We were to have activities in 6 other schools.

From the feedback we had, the participation in BAW was benefit to us in many ways. The community was quite amaze to discover a subject call Neuroscience that can explain many aspects of our behaviour. The community learned more about some aspects of the research and teaching that is done at the University of Buea. Also the administration of the University decided to take the celebration of the BAW as one of the major activities that will be celebrated each year by our department.

As suggestion I can advise someone to plan the event early enough and look for funding so that can help to have many things(T-shirts, book pencils … ) to share with the community during the celebration.