Every March, psychologists and neuroscientists around the world participate in an outreach program called Brain Awareness Week. The goal of this event is to educate the community about how the human nervous system works, and all of the incredible things our brains are capable of doing.

For this year's event, students and faculty from Temple University visited Bodine High School in the Northern Liberties to share their love of neuroscience and psychology with over 40 students. Activities were divided between five stations so that all of the high schoolers had an opportunity to participate.

At one station, students learned how researchers measure cognitive functioning using a variety of tests. At the motor station, the students tested their reflexes and determined how quickly they could learn to trace a figure in a mirror. One of the students' favorites was the comparative neuroanatomy station, where they examined the preserved brains of a mouse, rat, bird, sheep, and even a horse.

Key to the event's success were the seven undergraduates, two graduate students and three faculty members from Temple who all volunteered to participate.

"My favorite part of volunteering was watching the students learn neuroscience for the first time," said Athena Vafiadis, a junior in the Temple College of Liberal Arts Neuroscience Program.

"They were all so engaged in the activities and they were so interested in the topics. The look on their faces when they learned the process of hearing was amazing. It was a combination of mind blown and curiosity that I hope they take with them into their future studies."

So many Temple students and faculty were interested in participating this year, that there are already plans to add an additional event at a Philadelphia grade school for Temple's 2019 Brain Awareness Events. Those interested in volunteering can email david.waxler@temple.edu to be added to the mailing list.