Psychology professor awarded community outreach grant

 

Grant will fund a “Brain Fair” at Murray Elementary School

MURRAY, Ky. — Dr. Megan St. Peters, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Murray State University, has been awarded a Brain Awareness Week Outreach Grant from the Dana Foundation, a private philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing understanding about the brain in health and disease through research grants and public outreach. 

St. Peters says the grant will support an “MES Brain Fair” at Murray Elementary School and introduce the field of neuroscience to young children.  

“I’m excited to have this opportunity to form a partnership between MSU and our local community,” said St. Peters. “This grant allows psychology faculty and students to share our passion and knowledge of brain-body connections with children through use of fun, hands-on activities.”

St. Peters will be working with the Murray Elementary School PTO to develop and organize the fair, which is being planned for late February or March.

Coordinated by the Dana Foundation, Brain Awareness Week is the global campaign to foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science. Every March, partners host imaginative activities in their communities that share the wonders of the brain and the impact brain science has on the everyday lives of individuals.

“Exposing young children to neuroscience can spark a love of learning by encouraging questions like ‘why?’ and ‘how?,’” said St. Peters. “Learning what the brain is, how it influences our emotions and behaviors and what we can do to ‘calm it down’ is empowering.” 

For more information about the Dana Foundation’s Brain Awareness Week please visit brainawareness.org. To learn more about the Murray State University Department of Psychology visit murraystate.edu/psychology.