Tohoku University Cognitive Neuroscience Application Center

We recently teamed up with the Sendai City Board of Education for their "Summer Vacation University Exploration" program, welcoming 12 middle schoolers from the city. We wanted to show these future thinkers just how cool and fun science can be! We planned a day packed with activities that let them experience the exciting world of cutting-edge research.

First up was a mini-lecture about the amazing brain. We played brain-training games and explained how the brain works in a way that was easy for everyone to understand. We talked about how it helps us think, remember things, and even move our bodies.

Next, we showed them some really cool equipment that scientists use to study the brain. The students were wowed by the giant fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine, which uses magnets to take pictures of the brain in action. They were captivated as we explained how it works and showed them brain images. Then, they got to try out the fNIRS (functional Near-InfraRed Spectroscopy) experiment, which uses light to measure brain activity. They couldn't believe their eyes when they saw their brain activity pop up on the screen in real-time!

After learning about the brain, the students got together in groups to brainstorm ways to train their brain over summer vacation. They had lively discussions about questions like, "Is it really better for our brain to go to bed early and wake up early?" and "What happens to our brain when we use our smartphone too much?" Using what they learned, they came up with their own personal "Brain-Training Rules" for things like daily schedules and screen time. It was a great chance for them to think about their everyday habits.

To wrap things up, each student shared their "Brain-Training Rules" with the group and told us what they learned from the day. We were so impressed by their enthusiastic responses! They told us things like, "I didn't know that different parts of the brain do different things!", "It was so cool to see the front part of my brain activated when I was reading and solving math problems!", and "I want to use my smartphone less and give my brain a boost!". We hope to see these bright young minds return to CogNAC someday as future neuroscientists. We are dedicated to sharing the wonders of cognitive neuroscience and its real-world applications with our community through outreach programs like this one. (Sakaki)