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Scholars from Mount Royal University are sharing the latest research in neuroscience with visitors to Dr. Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS & The Brain exhibition, currently on view at the TELUS World of Science — Calgary.
This renowned travelling exhibition showcases more than 200 human specimens — including full body plastinates — and includes displays on the brain and how it works.
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| BODY WORLDS presents a unique opportunity for Mount Royal's academic community, not only to learn, but to showcase some of our experts. |
The Integrative Health Institute at Mount Royal (IHI) is partnering with the TELUS World of Science — Calgary to present a series of lectures on five Saturday nights during the exhibition.
While the displays help people clearly see the anatomy of a real human body and its organs, IHI Director Elaine Danelesko says the lectures will expand the learning experience for visitors.
“Our speakers will draw from their own research and the current literature to trace the development of the brain, from the first five years of life to the adolescent brain to the aging brain,” she says.
The final lecture in the series will focus on how the nervous system controls our muscles.
“Each speaker will provide topical information that is evidence-informed, yet presented in a conversational style that makes it open to everyone.
“I think that’s one of Mount Royal’s real strengths — to be able to engage audiences in a variety of ways.”
Danelesko is most excited about the opportunities for one particular audience: Mount Royal students.
“This is the most exciting anatomical learning experience that any of our students could engage in,” she says, noting that the exhibition will be of value to students in courses ranging from kinesiology, nursing and athletic therapies to biological science, massage therapy, funeral service education and yoga therapy.
As part of the IHI’s partnership with the TELUS World of Science — Calgary, more than 100 Mount Royal students have received passes to the BODY WORLDS exhibition.
For the rest of us, the lectures are included with admission to the BODY WORLDS & The Brain exhibition. The schedule is as follows:
May 8, 7:30 p.m.
Early brain development
Presenter: Joanne Baxter, PhD
Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Child and Youth Studies
Learn about the latest research into how the brain develops in the early years, and explore how early experiences lay the groundwork for building emotional well-being, social skill development and cognitive abilities. Join a discussion on how to build the brain during the first five years of life — a time that is critical for success in school, the workplace and the community.
May 15, 7:30 p.m.
What our brains remember as our bodies age
Presenter: Dawne Clark, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Child and Youth Studies and Coordinator, Centre for Child Well-Being
New science is revealing that adverse childhood experiences can affect the structures of our developing brains, resulting in medical conditions, health concerns and addictions as we become adults. Clark will share how the recent Adverse Childhood Experiences study is changing the way we look at medical conditions such as obesity, heart disease and the origins of addictions.
Saturday, May 22, 7:30 p.m.
Crazy by design
Presenter: Gail Smillie, M.Ed., CCC
Instructor, Child Studies Degree program
What happens to the brain during the complex, exciting and — at times— devastating teen years? Discover how the adolescent brain undergoes an exuberant burst that sculpts, prunes, reorganizes and grows it in preparation for adulthood. This presentation can help teens, parents, educators and community professionals better understand this turbulent and fascinating process.
May 29, 7:30 p.m.
Am I losing my mind?
Presenter: Sandra Gordon, MN, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing and
Joyce Woods, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Nursing
People are living longer than ever before, and our ability to understand how the brain ages is at the frontier of research in the neurosciences, medicine and humanities. This lively discussion investigates what we know about how our brains grow old, what we know contributes to healthy brain aging — and what remains a mystery.
June 5, 7:30 p.m.
A moving experience: the nervous system and your body in motion
Presenter: Sean Maw, PhD
Associate Professor of Engineering
The last 100 years of neuroscience have taught us a great deal about how we sense the world and how we control our muscles to move through it. Maw brings his extensive experience working with elite athletes and teaching biomechanics and neuroscience to this talk outlining the basics of how our nervous system controls our muscles. To illustrate his presentation, Maw will share fun “body tricks” you can try at home.
— Nancy Cope, May 6, 2010
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3E 6K6
403.440.6111
