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Using Brains to Inspire Minds: A Unique Outreach Collaboration with the Boston Museum of Science
Author(s) -
Babcock Katharine Jane,
Kong Elizabeth,
Zumwalt Ann C.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2018.32.1_supplement.631.5
Subject(s) - outreach , curiosity , general partnership , medical education , psychology , sociology , medicine , neuroscience , political science , law
The Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at Boston University School of Medicine has recently undertaken an exciting collaboration with the Hall of Human Life (HHL) at the Museum of Science, Boston to engage the general public in a dialogue about the human brain. This partnership is unique in that the scientists and the museum staff work together to develop demonstrations that neither group would have the resources to produce on their own. In this initiative we use post‐mortem human brains to get the attention of museum visitors and pique their curiosity. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions and drive discussions based on their own interests, while educators adapt their language as needed when interacting with audiences of differing age groups. Topics vary from how information is relayed to and from the brain, to specific interests such as recent public health concerns surrounding concussion in sports. In addition to human tissue, the exhibit also includes human anatomical models and dissections of simpler nervous systems (e.g. rat, mouse, gerbil, fish, and fruit fly) to stimulate comparative and functional neuroanatomical discussions. The main objective is to cultivate a broad‐based, easily accessible learning experience that mirrors the HHL's mission to “inspire all who enter to think, learn, and question.” Support or Funding Information AAA Education Outreach Grant This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .