Schools Open Day 2017

17 March 2017

On 16^th March, the MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit welcomed pupils and teachers to its annual Schools Open Day.

Almost 120 pupils and their teachers, from 8 state-funded and private schools in Oxford city and wider Oxfordshire, took the opportunity to visit and learn more about STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) at the MRC Unit. During their visits, pupils in small groups talked informally to Unit members about key concepts and challenges in brain research, as well as what it is like being a scientist. Special emphasis was also placed on giving pupils the opportunity to try some ‘hands on’ science and to see real working instruments and laboratories for themselves. Activities were coordinated around 6 ‘knowledge stations’, at which pupils could experience some of the Unit’s core research themes, including human brain stimulation, computer modelling of brain function, electrical activity in the brain, the nerve cell networks of memory, the brain in health and Parkinson’s disease, and the use of animals in research. At the end of the visit, pupils had refreshments and were given souvenirs to take home.

Oxford City Councillors Pat Kennedy and Louise Upton, and Oxford County Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, also visited to learn more about the brain research carried out at the Unit.

Unit Deputy Director Peter Magill commented, “Another great Schools Open Day at the MRC BNDU. Visitors and Unit hosts were excited to be involved, and the two-way dialogues were clearly rewarding for all.”

The Unit’s Schools Open Day was one of many engaging events held at University of Oxford during Brain Awareness Week 2017.

Visiting pupils were encouraged to view the complexity of the brain for themselves. Here, Unit scientist Dr Natalie Doig guides pupils in observing synapses on the Unit’s electron microscope.

Pupils visited real working labs, where they could see for themselves some of the techniques and technologies used in the Unit’s research on the brain. Here, Unit scientist Dr Emilie Syed shows visiting pupils some of her research on brain structure.

Pupils enthusiastically get to grips with the science of brain stimulation (as demonstrated on everyone’s favourite “volunteer”, Unit Director Professor Peter Brown!)

Pupils in small groups talked informally to Unit members about key concepts and challenges in brain research. Here, Professor Paul Bolam moderates discussion on the use of animals in research.

Unit scientist Dr Eduardo Martin Moraud guides pupils as they explore computational models of brain function.

“Brain Claw”, a Unit-made robotic device controlled by mind and muscle; just one of the gadgets in the MRC BNDU’s Public Engagement Toolbox.

The MRC BNDU is visited by Oxford City Councillor Pat Kennedy, here with Unit scientist Dr Rafal Bogacz, one of the organisers of the Schools Open Day.

Visiting pupils were encouraged to view the complexity of the brain for themselves. Here, Unit scientist Dr Natalie Doig guides pupils in observing synapses on the Unit’s electron microscope.

Pupils visited real working labs, where they could see for themselves some of the techniques and technologies used in the Unit’s research on the brain. Here, Unit scientist Dr Emilie Syed shows visiting pupils some of her research on brain structure.

Pupils enthusiastically get to grips with the science of brain stimulation (as demonstrated on everyone’s favourite “volunteer”, Unit Director Professor Peter Brown!)

Pupils in small groups talked informally to Unit members about key concepts and challenges in brain research. Here, Professor Paul Bolam moderates discussion on the use of animals in research.

Unit scientist Dr Eduardo Martin Moraud guides pupils as they explore computational models of brain function.

“Brain Claw”, a Unit-made robotic device controlled by mind and muscle; just one of the gadgets in the MRC BNDU’s Public Engagement Toolbox.

The MRC BNDU is visited by Oxford City Councillor Pat Kennedy, here with Unit scientist Dr Rafal Bogacz, one of the organisers of the Schools Open Day.