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The 91ֱ����Ƶ’s Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences hosted its third annual Brain Fair on April 8, 2016 at the Harold Alfond Forum on UNE’s Biddeford Campus. More than 500 students from local districts attended the event, along with local families and community members. They enjoyed fun and engaging hands-on activities, presentations and exhibits intended to educate the community about the importance of brain health and overall body wellness.

Brain Awareness Week is a worldwide campaign launched by The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives to promote neuroscience and advocate for science funding. The Brain Fair was the latest in a series of events hosted by 91ֱ����Ƶin the month of April to further this mission. 

Brain Fair attendees walked through an amazing collection of human brain samples highlighting healthy brains and brains impacted by disease and injury. They also saw neuroanatomy displays, sheep brain dissections and microscope set-ups where they could observe a variety of microscopic brain pictures. Families also visited the “Bugs and Drugs” display, which shows how chemicals affect the nervous system and insect behavior. Informative sessions on concussion awareness, opioids, how we learn and the link between music and health were well attended.

Professional athletes and athletes from 91ֱ����Ƶgave demonstrations as a way to show the link between neuroscience and athletics. The event included presentations by Olympic gold medalist Dick Fosbury, known for revolutionizing the high jump with the creation of his back-first jumping technique, as well as Maine-based professional boxer Brandon “The Cannon” Berry and UNE’s Mike Lawrence, the 18^th ranked power lifter in the United States. The helmet fitting presentation and giveaway, sponsored by the Michael T. Goulet Foundation, was once again a highlight of the event. The foundation is a Maine-based non-profit organization aiming to increase awareness, prevention and improved treatment for seizure disorders and brain injuries.

Discussing the event, Michael Burman, Ph.D., assistant professor of neuroscience and faculty coordinator for the 91ֱ����ƵCenter for Excellence in the Neurosciences K-12 Outreach Program, says, “We want to share with the public how amazing the brain is and how important it is to keep it safe. It’s so critical for every aspect of our life and yet also so fragile. We think people will be amazed by the opportunity to examine the human brain up close. In addition, we know so little about the brain, from both the perspective of basic science and treating disorders and injury. We hope this exhibit will inspire more people to study neuroscience, including through our excellent programs at the 91ֱ����Ƶ.”

Ed Bilsky, Ph.D., 91ֱ����Ƶvice president for Research and Scholarship, said, “Neuroscience-related topics are in the news every day and have been in the public consciousness and discussion this past year. Topics from concussions, to opioid abuse, to diseases that impact the aging brain are so critically important to our society and its health. 91ֱ����Ƶis a leader in educating physicians and other healthcare professionals, and our expertise in the neurosciences allows us to bring world-class exhibits and demonstrations to the school systems and public in Maine.”     

Brain Awareness Week is a worldwide campaign launched by The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives to promote neuroscience and advocate for science funding. This week’s Brain Fair is the latest in a series of events hosted by 91ֱ����Ƶthat is being extended into the month April to further this mission.