5th Grade and WSU Students Exchange Brain Waves in an Effort to Understand Science

PULLMAN, Wash. – Basketball hoops will be replaced with brains at Washington State University’s Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum on March 6. The brain waves of 160 local 5th grade students will buzz as they participate in Kids Judge! Neuroscience Fair.

“Kids Judge! became an annual event because we believe it serves an important and strong dual purpose,” said David Rector, associate professor in the Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology/Program in Neuroscience.

The event, organized by WSU’s Neuroscience Program, encourages 5th grade students to use their brains as they work through 29 creative and educational neurophysiology models. Rector’s senior level NEURO 430 students research, design and produce these exhibits. “I believe it is very important for scientists to be able to communicate their research to the public,” Rector said. “Kids Judge! trains college students how to communicate complex scientific concepts in simple understandable terms.”

The 5th graders evaluate each exhibit by completing a survey and then voting for their favorite. “A student’s initial reaction is often our best indicator of whether or not we are educating to the best of our ability,” said Sandi Brabb, assistant director of the neuroscience program in the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Exposure to science at such an early age stimulates the child’s scientific curiosity and cultivates a science enthusiast; all of a sudden, science has become fun. In many cases, students tell us ‘I want to be a neuroscientist when I grow up.’

“The surveys help us to track changes in the student’s interest in science, plus it provides feedback to the college students on their ability to communicate science concepts. “

The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a talk by Rector on the ‘Amazing Brain’. Then 5th graders will explore several exhibits including flavored gelatin brain molds, jellybean taste tests, handling real brains and interactive stations such as the “Big blind busted brain,” “Don’t touch that,” “Neuron Gossip”, “Motion under pressure,” “The brain’s army in action,” “Reward me,” “Neuron softball,” “Scare and tell,” and others.

Neuroscience faculty and student volunteers from WSU will be on hand to assist kids 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 is sponsored by the Society for Neuroscience and the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives. Kids Judge! is also made possible by donations from the Palouse Discovery Science Center and MetLife Foundation. Local sponsors also include Pullman Regional Hospital, Pizza Pipeline, McDonalds and Explosion Sportswear.