On Monday 10, Wednesday 12 and Friday 14 March, groups of secondary school students visited the University’s Msida Campus to tour the Cognitive Science Laboratory, Immersion Laboratory and Boundaries of the Brain Laboratory, exploring the fascinating world of neuroscience through hands-on activities, interactive demonstrations, engaging discussions and an interactive puppet show, titled ‘Demystifying Alice’s Wonderland’.

Brain Awareness Week activities at the University of Malta, which were part of a worldwide initiative dedicated to promoting support for brain science and research, also served as an opportunity for the University to showcase its laboratories and the invaluable research being conducted within them. 

This was not the first time the University hosted students for BAW, with last year’s visits having also been a resounding success. Participation in BAW has been ongoing since 2016. 

By immersing themselves in these activities, students not only deepened their understanding of brain health but also discovered the many career paths available in neuroscience, psychology, and biomedical research, inspiring the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals. This year’s global theme for BAW was, in fact, ‘Focus on Brain Health’.

The event also highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of neurosciences, such as the intersection between neuroscience and art, philosophy, or ethics.

It was organised by the Department of Cognitive Science within the Faculty of Media & Knowledge Sciences, the Department of Physiology & Biochemistry within the Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, and the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.

Dr Danielle Martine Farrugia, Senior Executive of Science Engagement at the University, said “By engaging with real-world scientific concepts in an accessible and exciting way, we are nurturing the next generation of scientists, innovators, and healthcare professionals who will push the boundaries of our understanding of the brain.”

Earlier this month, a special edition of Malta Café Scientifique also focused on brain research, with the topic of how one can use visual illusions to explore the human brain being discussed extensively by Prof. Ian M. Thornton. 

For more information on this activity, kindly contact Ms Caroline Chetcuti via email.