Organizing
committee:
Dr. Artur Luczak
(president of the Lethbridge Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience),
Dr. Masami Tatsuno,
Zak Stinson, and Mitch Kesler
During Brain
Awareness week in March 2015, the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience
at the University of Lethbridge organized the Brain Awareness Week for the
eighth time. These events encompassed several events throughout the week:
Free Public Lecture
The public lecture
on March 10, 2015 was given by Dr. Robbin Gibb “Building Brains and Futures:
One Connection at a Time” at the Yates Memorial Centre in downtown Lethbridge.
This event was well attended and this public lecture has become a capacity
crowd event in our community. On site volunteers handed out brain related
information generously supplied by the Dana foundation.
Public gathered at
the Yates Lecture theatre listening to Dr. Gibb’s talk.
CCBN Open House
The Canadian Centre
for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN) is the only research facility of its kind
in Canada. On March 14, 2015 we invited the public to step inside and learn
about the world renowned research and ground breaking discoveries taking place
in our community. In addition local organizations were on hand with brain
relate materials and information. There were activities for children and this
event was a success with approximately 100 people attending. All ages were
encouraged to observe and engage in a first-hand look at some of the current research
being carried out in different laboratories. Principle Investigators were on
hand to answer and explain their areas of research. Graduate students were also
able to inform and answer questions about current research being conducted. And
it’s importance to our community. With an emphasize on providing useful, up to
date and accurate information, our most experienced technicians were explaining
how we utilize some of the equipment commonly used. Attendees were encouraged
to participate in live demonstration and to get a first-hand look for
themselves how research is conducted. This year’s event saw a high number of
children and families represented about half of the attendees. There were many
activities for the children to engage in and to learn about the brain. Kids of
all ages were able to participate in demonstrations that highlight the
importance of taking care of our brains.
Adam giving presentation to public on Epilepsy in the
Luczak dry lab.
Kids’ activities set up in the CCBN seminar
room at the CCBN Open House.
Presentations in
the labs of Dr. Gibb (left) and Dr. Euston (right) during the CCBN Open House.
Community
organizations involved with disorders and problems with the brain and nervous
system were invited to share and interact with the public. This further helped
to demonstrate the importance of research currently being conducted. In total 6
organizations were able to attend. Representatives from the Multiple Sclerosis
Society of Canada, Parkinson Alberta, Brain Injury Relearning Services,
Canadian Mental Health Association, Alzheimer’s Society and the Family and
Community Support Services. These organizations provided information and were
able to answer any questions about their services offered to the community.
Through the
generous support of the Dana Foundation, materials provided enabled us to give
the children fun and informative brain related swag. In addition to our kids
room, there was additional space targeted to engage even younger children
ensuring that there was activities for all ages. Brain Awareness Week
activities were advertised in the local newspaper, campus newspaper, community
notice boards, posters both on and off campus and the campus notice board. The
successful recruitment of volunteers to help provide support for all events and
activities was abundant. Feedback received from Community Organizations and
from the public were very favorable and the enthusiastic encouragement to
continue with similar events will help to ensure that these opportunities will
continue.
Kids’ activities set up in the CCBN seminar room at the CCBN Open House.
Kids’ activities set up in the CCBN seminar room at the CCBN Open House.
Organizations set up at the CCBN Open House.
Presentations given to public in Dr. Tatsuno’s dry lab.
Dr. Metz speaking with the public in her dry lab at the CCBN Open House.
