Insights into neuroscience for A Level students
Sixth formers from across the South got a taste of University life at a special event organised by the Southampton Neuroscience Group (SoNG). They heard a lecture ‘Why is the Human Brain so Big’ by Professor Clive Gamble, toured state-of-the-art laboratories and visited exhibitions in the Life Sciences building on potential careers in neuroscience.
Biology teacher Janet Parry from The Arnewood School in New Milton, who brought 24 students, says they enjoyed visiting the University and learning more about studying the subject at degree level. “They were impressed by the laboratory facilities, such as the laser microscopes, as well as the size of the campus, one said it was almost like a small town. The workshops kept them engaged, especially when they covered topics they had already studied at school.”
Meanwhile, sixth formers at Peter Symonds College in Winchester have been working with SoNG to interpret mental health issues through textile designs in an innovative project.
“Mental health problems and neurodegenerative diseases touch the lives of so many people yet their biological mechanisms are often poorly understood, making them difficult and sensitive topics of discussion,” says Dr Shmma Quraishe, a postdoctoral researcher from Medicine at Southampton. “Through their designs and creative pieces they are literally giving the topics a new life and bringing the subjects out into the open by giving them a 3D presence. We will display their work at the University at our public outreach events.”
Textiles teacher Beki Vaile adds: “This is a project where art meets the mind and brain diseases get interpreted by artists through the tangible medium of textiles and art.”
Related Staff Member
Professor Clive Gamble
Clive Gamble is Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at the University of Southampton.
Read more