University of Jamestown Physical Therapy Program

The second Brain Awareness Week put on by University of Jamestown Physical Therapy students was very successful. We visited all the 5th grade classrooms in the West Fargo school system. We used a class period length presentation with goals of introducing the students to neuroscience and some of the cool things the brain does and thus helping them understand the importance of keeping this important organ safe and healthy by using their brain, exercise, and wearing a helmet and being tested for concussions. Volunteers did interactive presentations with students to talk about what the brain does including senses and special senses and how it sends messages to and from the body and what a neuron looks like. Students did a build a neuron activity to illustrate the relay of information and how the brain is able to learn and improve. Students were split into groups and rotated between stations to learn about the different balance systems, sensation and how to test it with upper or lower quarter screens and two point discrimination, cranial nerves and special senses, and a concussion with a brain model station. Presentations were wrapped up with more of a discussion about how we learn through practice and demonstration with the bean bag toss and refractory goggles.

We heard from children of our professors who were part of a classroom as well as overhead a child telling her mom about the presentation in the community. I believe these children benefitted by learning more about the brain and getting excited about neuroscience and what we as PTs know and can test for. They will hopefully retain the knowledge about learning and the importance of concussion testing and brain safety.

There were issues getting the schedule from the curriculum director so talk to your contact person early and often to make sure you aren’t scrambling to fill volunteer spots at the end.