Dr. Nadja Spitzer, assistant professor in the college and an organizer for the event, said they were determined to reschedule the event for the 600-plus elementary and middle school students who had registered for the expo.
“The event features 28 interactive stations where children explore various parts of their nervous system. They also learn how the brain controls their body and why healthy lifestyle choices lead to better brain health,” Spitzer said. “Activities at the stations include learning to juggle, playing a memory game, coloring their own ‘brain hat,’ testing their reflexes, and building brain cell-shaped key chains.”
More than 200 Marshall students and faculty from the College of Science, the psychology department and the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine will oversee the activities. The St. Mary’s Medical Center will present a station about brain and spinal cord safety, Cabell Huntington Neuroscience will discuss nervous system injuries and disease and the West Virginia Alzheimer’s Association will present a trivia game.
“Events like the Brain Expo are an excellent way of increasing public awareness of science research at Marshall and in catching the interest of students who may choose a career path in science, technology, engineering or mathematics,” Spitzer said. “Through the many fun hands-on activities, attendees start to better understand the brain. Our goal for the Brain Expo is to interest children in science and research at a young age though games and activities that demonstrate the relevance of neuroscience in everyday life.”
For more information on the Brain Expo, visit www.marshall.edu/baw. To learn more about the programs and events within the College of Science, visit www.marshall.edu/cos.