Exploring the Brain at Columbia's Education Lab

This past Saturday, Ms. Zapreva and eight students from the 2^nd-5^th grades visited Columbia’s Zuckerman Institute for its monthly Saturday Science event. The Institute is dedicated to understanding how the brain works through scientific research and exploration. Adults and children alike learned about the functions of the brain at the interactive exhibition. Students observed a sheep brain dissection, and then were able to examine all its different parts. Another display showed the physical difference between a human brain of a person with Alzheimer's disease and a person with all its brain functions. Under a microscope, a neuron from a rat brain was magnified 1,000 times. Students tested their memory with games and then played games to understand how neurons make new pathways. They also learned that white blood cells have a memory as well. Who knew that our blood remembers the viruses that come into our bodies? Our students asked interesting questions and managed to do all the activities that were offered.