College to Host Brain Awareness Event for Local High School Students

Westminster College will host Brain Awareness activities Wednesday and Thursday, April 14-15, from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Witherspoon Rooms of the McKelvey Campus Center for students from four local high schools.

Approximately 30 students from Mohawk Area and Hermitage school districts will attend Wednesday, with 50 students from New Castle and Wilmington Area schools expected Thursday.

Westminster students enrolled in "Behavioral Neuroscience" classes will staff seven stations providing information on a variety of brain awareness and research areas, including "Human Senses," "Memory and Learning," and "An Eye for Detail."

Following lunch, students will compete for prizes in Brain Bee, a Jeopardy-style competition with questions related to neuroscience.

The Westminster event is coordinated by senior biology major Brielle Kelly, under the supervision of faculty adviser Dr. Alan Gittis, professor of psychology. Sponsors are Westminster's Department of Biology, Department of Psychology, Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning; LARK Enterprises and Pizza Joe's.

Brain Awareness events are coordinated nationally by the Society for Neuroscience and the Dana Foundation, a private philanthropic organization that supports brain research through grants and educates the public about the successes and potential of brain research. Visit www.dana.org/brainweek/ for additional information about Brain Awareness Week.

Contact Gittis at (724) 946-7358 (e-mail gittisa@westminster.edu) or Kelly at kellybm@westminster.edu for additional information.

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