When you think about neuroscience education, middle school isn't typically what comes to mind. However, at the University of British Columbia, a new program called Brain Waves, takes students in grades 4-6 and educates them on neuroscience, brain injury and staying safe in sports and activities. Brain injuries can be fatal, and even if a child survives a traumatic brain injury, the effects can be life-long and devastating. Educating children about these dangers is a partnership between the public schools in Vancouver and the Brain Injury Association at UBC.
It's not just about adults standing up and lecturing to kids about safety either. The program is interactive, in the classroom setting and talks about what the brain can do, how it functions and how the five senses work. Students from UBC who participate in the program are specially trained and work with students on projects related to neuroscience. Activities like an egg drop, where students learn how fragile the brain can be, as well as a visual aid of a brain made from Jell-O, got the students engaged in learning.
