UMD’s Mobile Neuroscience Lab visited Cloquet Middle School in March, bringing interactive neuroscience activities to seventh graders. The activities are designed to make concepts in neuroscience accessible, immersive, and fun for young students. 

Fourteen UMD students led small groups of students in active learning tasks. They colored and constructed paper brains, dissected sheep brains, and learned valuable lessons about the brain and its functions along the way.

“This has been such a valuable collaboration between UMD and Cloquet Middle School, creating a meaningful learning experience for all involved,” says Associate Professor Rebecca Gilbertson. “It’s a win-win, educating middle schoolers while reinforcing the concepts UMD psychology students have learned.”

Gilbertson has led the outreach effort since 2015. Since then, the lab to high schools, middle schools and after school programs in the Twin Ports.