Fun with brains! A Science Week excursion to MSPS

As part of Science Week, MSPS opened their Cog Neuro Hub’s labs to enthusiastic students from The Venny play group in Kensington. The excursion, designed to ignite curiosity and foster a love for science, provided 14 students aged 10-12 with a unique opportunity to dive into the fascinating world of neuroscience through a series of engaging, hands-on workshops.

We began with an introduction to the basics of neuroscience by Professor Katherine Johnson, where students learned about the structure and function of the brain, the nervous system, and how they influence behaviour and cognition. This set the stage for the immersive experiences that followed.

One of the highlights of the excursion was the Virtual Reality (VR) workshop. Equipped with state-of-the-art VR headsets, students were transported into interactive simulations that demonstrated complex neural processes in an accessible and captivating manner. They explored virtual environments that showcased the brain's response to different stimuli, such as how people with different types of colour blindness experience the world, and gained a deeper understanding of sensory processing and neural pathways. The VR experience was not only educational but also incredibly engaging, capturing the students' imaginations and bringing abstract concepts to life.

The excitement continued as students participated in an Electroencephalography (EEG) workshop. Here, they had the chance to observe real-time brain activity. Under the guidance of expert instructors, students learned how EEG machines measure electrical activity in the brain and how this data can be used to study various cognitive functions. They even had the opportunity to conduct simple experiments, observing how different mental states and activities – such as blinking – influence brainwave patterns.

Another fascinating session involved the use of eye-tracking technology. Students discovered how eye movements can reveal a wealth of information about cognitive processes such as attention, perception and decision-making. Through an interactive (and very competitive) game of spot-the-difference, they observed how eye-tracking devices monitor and record gaze patterns, and they learned about the implications of this research for fields ranging from psychology to marketing.

This special Science Week event was a resounding success, leaving students inspired and eager to explore the world of neuroscience further. The hands-on workshops with VREEG, and eye-tracking machines provided a unique blend of education and entertainment, making complex scientific concepts accessible and exciting. This Science Week event not only broadened the students' horizons but also sparked a passion for scientific inquiry that could influence future studies and careers.