An engaging roadshow will bring neuroscience education to schools and the community in regional Western Australia.

“Our primary goal is to increase neuroscience knowledge and interest in regional WA communities.”

Dr Alex Tang, Sarich Family Research Fellow

The program includes public lectures and hands-on activities such as recording brain electrical activity, viewing brain cells under a microscope and interacting with 3D models of human and animal brains.  

Dr Sarah Hellewell, Neurotrauma Research Fellow at Perron Institute and Curtin University will talk about concussion at a public lecture in Esperance on Friday 27 October.

Two biomedical scientists from The University of Western Australia — Dr Alex Tang, Sarich Family Research Fellow, and Dr Jamie Beros, Postdoctoral Research Associate from the Perron Institute — will speak about brain development and plasticity across the lifespan in Broome on Friday 3 November.

Image: WA Neuroscience Roadshow team.

A young group of STEM educators are joining the roadshow including Dr Kelsey Pool, from UWA School of Agriculture and Environment; Ms Liz Jaeschke-Angi, from UWA’s School of Biological Sciences; and PhD candidates Emily King and Ms Rebecca Ong, from Perron Institute and UWA.

“Our primary goal is to increase neuroscience knowledge and interest in regional WA communities,” Dr Tang said.

“Our roadshow will deliver content on how the human brain works, what can go wrong in certain neurological disorders and how different species of animals have developed unique brains that allow them to survive in their environments.

“Esperance and Broome were selected as they are northern and southern regional hubs with specialised STEM school programs, for example the Follow the Dream and Stars Foundation STEM programs for Aboriginal students.”

Dr Hellewell said the school visits aimed to increase awareness of what a science career entails and the exciting career opportunities that come from working in neuroscience.

The regional outreach program will be presented in partnership with Deadly Science, Nikon Australia, the Perron Institute, Broome and Esperance shires and The University of Western Australia School of Indigenous Studies.

The WA Neuroscience Roadshow was made possible by an Inspiring WA STEM Grant awarded to Dr Tang from the Department of Jobs Tourism Science and Innovation (Western Australia).

For more information or to register, visit here for Esperance and here for Broome.