The Pacer

Issue date: 3/27/07 Section: Campus News

Martin Middle School students participated in many activities during Brain Awareness Week that was sponsored by UTM's Psychology Department.

Twelve information stations were set up Tuesday, March 20 at the Field House where Martin Middle School seventh graders came to experience the annual educational activities of Brain Awareness Week.

The major activity of the UTM Brain Awareness Week includes informing young students about the workings of our most important organ and how different substances affect it. They learned about the helmet safety by making miniature ones for eggs, about effects of alcohol on our brains by wearing distortion goggles, about experiencing blindness by replicating blind spots with eye patches, and much more.

Additionally, informative pamphlets, pencils, and other small items of the organization are provided to students.

"I hope it helps students to think twice before making a decision about their brain, whether it's consuming nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, etc. We also hope that some of those students will end up pursuing careers in science and psychology; but the most important ting is how they end up using their brain," said Dr. Michelle Merwin.

Merwin, the organizer of the event, has been impressed with a growing interest from students.

"I think what's really changing is students are looking forward to coming."

Brain Awareness Week is an international event that was founded in 1996 by Dana Alliance. This Alliance is a non-profit organization with a purpose of informing the general public about the brain and its health. Every spring institutions from 69 countries unite their efforts and participate by campaigning, providing lectures to school students, and arrange other performances.

About six years ago Merwin formed a partnership with this organization, bringing the awareness on campus. Not much of the event has changed throughout the six years of its existence at UTM, except a greater number of students are interested in attending.

Brain Awareness Week is one of the most important events in the Psychology Department that takes several months to arrange. In addition to department faculty, college students have greatly contributed in helping with the program and educating kids.

"We can't do without them. Some of 12 stations were run by student leaders, who volunteered to direct a table. I gave them the material, and they did the rest," said Merwin.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools