Post by Michael Deveney, Noggin volunteer from Portland State University
First of all, the OHSU Brain Fair at the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) was AWESOME! I had a blast and I look forward to helping more in the future. Thank you for this opportunity.
LEARN MORE: Putting the brains in Brain Fair!
I was helping all these little (and big) hands hold a human brain. Some of my favorite questions were 1) Is that a real human brain? 2) Where did the brains come from? 3) Brain structure/function questions (where is the pituitary gland, where’s the amygdala, what controls our emotions, sight, etc.) and 4) Did you kill a person to get this brain..?! (for the record, the answer to that last question is (of course!) NO 🙂
This was a wonderful experience, and being able to give children and adults alike a better understanding of an actual human brain and how it functions is really, REALLY cool. I loved how there were so many craft stations for the kids throughout the entire fair, as I think it helps them understand and remember more about regions of the brain and what they do when they get to make things themselves.
LEARN MORE: STEAM Art Projects
I had so many kids come up who already knew a lot about the brain due to these activities, so it was exciting to see them apply their knowledge when they got to a real life version. The one thing that I wish was a little different was the number of brains we had to offer. I know we can’t just have multiple at our disposal, but there were times that people were waiting a while because it was so busy. But, alas, not sure anything can be done about that!
LEARN MORE: BioGifting Brains
Having people ask me how I was affiliated with the Brain Fair was pretty incredible. So many visitors assumed I was a doctor at OHSU and when I told them I was an undergrad at PSU they seemed genuinely excited. It was this moment where I would tell them I was studying neuroscience and they could see themselves getting involved in learning about brains too. Some were actually in awe about the knowledge I was offering. Hopefully I inspired some kiddos and young adults alike!
LEARN MORE: Allie Clark: Overcoming the impostor @ SfN
My favorite story of the day was a young gal, probably in her tweens, who informed me that she has been interested in the brain since she was a wee tyke. She explained how she was feeling apprehensive, though, about pursuing a career as a neurosurgeon because she was afraid of having a patient suffer or die…
“Every surgeon carries within himself a small cemetery, where from time to time he goes to pray – a place of bitterness and regret, where he must look for an explanation for his failures.” –René Leriche, La philosophie de la chirurgie, 1951
I suggested that she might also consider becoming a neuroscientist and do research and possibly help many people with what she discovered, which would offer her the chance to continue pursuing her interest in the brain without the pressure of surgery. Her eyes lit up and she told me that this was a great idea! Hopefully I re-ignited her passion and we will be reading about her successes in the future.
Thanks again for this opportunity, it really was wonderful.
