The University of Maine at Presque Isle Biomedical Club is celebrating International Brain Awareness Week [BAW] in March with two events—a Kids Brain Game Night on March 15 and “Neuroscience and a Movie” on March 24. The public is invited to attend these free events.
The Kids Brain Game Night will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room on March 15. This informal event for kids (of all ages) will feature hands-on activities—including visual illusions and building a neuron—to learn about the brain and nervous system. Participants are encouraged to stop by at any time to take part in the activities.
The “Neuroscience and a Movie” event takes place on March 24 from 6-9 p.m. in the Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room. The club will be showing the Academy Award-winning (best actress) movie Still Alice, which focuses on a woman’s progression into early onset Alzheimer’s disease. After the movie, there will be a panel to help answer questions on the clinical treatments and basic science of Alzheimer’s disease. This movie is rated PG-13.
“We wanted to provide an opportunity to community members of all ages to learn about the brain and nervous system,” Dr. Scott Dobrin, event organizer and UMPI Assistant Professor of Biology, said. “Our first event, Kids Brain Game Night, features stations run by UMPI Biomedical students to allow them to showcase their knowledge through interpretation of fun science activities. Neuroscience and a Movie explores the reality of how popular culture depicts neurological disorders. Alzheimer’s disease disproportionately affects people in higher latitudes, making the incidence raised in our community. The panel discussion will provide an opportunity to ask clinical and basic science questions about the disease.”
Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is the global campaign to increase public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research, according to the official BAW website. During BAW, held in March, campaign partners organize creative and innovative activities in their communities to educate and excite people of all ages about the brain and brain research. Founded and coordinated by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives and European Dana Alliance for the Brain, BAW’s 21st annual celebration takes place in mid-March.
For more information about these events, contact Dr. Dobrin at scott.dobrin@maine.edu. To learn more about International Brain Awareness Week, visit http://www.dana.org/BAW/.