Visit to Headington School

Visit to Headington School

Natalie Doig and Peter Magill with the students at Headington Girls School

On 7th May, Unit members Peter Magill and Natalie Doig visited Headington School in Oxford to engage with a class of Fifth Form and Sixth Form pupils studying varied science-related subjects. Peter introduced some key concepts of brain organisation and function, why and how we in the Unit study the brain, and the importance of using animals in medical research. Peter further highlighted research on the basal ganglia and its relevance for the understanding and treatment of Parkinson’s disease.  Natalie then led a practical session in which the pupils observed a variety of nerve cell types and the Unit’s archive brain collection for themselves. After the practical, Natalie talked about careers in neuroscience, highlighting the diverse professions that contribute to neuroscience as a whole, and gave an exciting account of the scope and value of ‘citizen science’. The visit concluded with a lively Q & A session with the students.