Fifteen HSA students were among hundreds of middle and high school students throughout Los Angeles who were given the opportunity to learn more about the brain during a week-long event hosted by the UCLA Brain Research Institute, with the help of campus groups focused on the brain including the Society for Neuroscience and Interaxon,
Throughout the day, volunteer graduate and undergraduate students (some pictured here) involved the kids in fun interactive presentations, which featured props including actual human brains and brain stems. Topics included brain injury, sensation, memory, synaptic function, hemispheric differences, and the motor system and lobe functions, to name just a few.
The students were then treated to a tour of the research laboratories, where they learned more about some of the innovative research projects that go on every day at UCLA. A free lunch, a tour of the campus and a panel of UCLA medical and graduate students talking about their own paths to college and careers rounded out this amazing day.
"I am very happy I got to attend the field trip and learn new things. It increased my interest in science and maybe one day being an ObGyn," said 9th grader Ashley. Melissa A. shared, "I loved the field trip because I like science and research. I got to see first hand how the research applies to the real world." The trip was also motivating for Chalen L. who shared, "It was cool to be on a college campus and see all the science labs. It makes me excited about going to college."
We are so grateful to the UCLA Brain Research Institute and all of the students and campus organizations that came together to provide such a meaningful learning experience for our kids and so many others throughout Los Angeles!
For more pictures of this event, click here.