Photos and SoundSlide by Robert Hubner, WSU Photo Services
PULLMAN More than 65 eigth graders served as judges March 12 at the 7th annual Math, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) Kids Judge! Academic Fair, held March 12 in Ensminger Pavilion.
As part of National Brain Awareness Week Campaign, Kids Judge! paired senior-level neurophysiology students with students in local communities to enhance scientific awareness and give the children an opportunity to act as exhibit critics.
This year’s event drew underrepresented (minority and female) MESA students from the Spokane area, who spent the day evaluating and providing feedback on student exhibits and the college student’s ability to explain complex neuroscience concepts in simple understandable terms on such projects as: “Need for Speed,” “Jeepers Creepers,” and “Microbial Mayhem.”
Students also had the opportunity to engage with WSU faculty and students, hold and identify the structures of real human brains, and enjoy a scoop of Jell-O brain alongside their sack lunches.
Neuroscience faculty and student volunteers from Washington State assisted participants with the activities as a part of their partnership in the Brain Awareness Week campaign, a series of events held around the world to increase public awareness about the brain. The BAW campaign was sponsored by the Society for Neuroscience and the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives.
