Bright Lights in the Lab began as an after school pilot program in 2012. In 2013 we launched the summer camp and our program has evolved so much since that time. A few years ago the Junior students kept asking our Camp Director, Mr. Mahadevan, if they were going to see a “real brain” at camp? 
They did, and ever since we’ve made that the focus of the first day. What’s a neuroscience camp without a “real brain”.
For some students this is the first time they have witnessed a scientific dissection, for all students its a moment of curiosity that we hope sparks their interest to get all they can out of their two weeks in our labs.
On that first day we hit the ground running by embracing all three learning styles (seeing, hearing & doing). After seeing a real brain and hearing about gross anatomical parts like the cerebrum, cerebellum and spinal cord, we spend the rest of the day – doing.
Our Junior campers take their notes from the morning and go back to their lab to model their own brains and neurons out of play doh. Their creations are beautiful to see, and the act of sculpting a brain allows us to clarify what they have learned if need be.
The Advanced group has the chance to view parts of the brain under microscopes and identify various parts of the brain, in a very meaningful way.
We believe everyone goes home the first day with lots to “think” about.
We also believe that the Bright Lights experience isn’t just about seeing and learning about the “cool stuff”. The next day our main focus is on two important areas:
- Understanding lab safety, learning about different types of tools and equipment and most important… learning how to conduct yourself in a professional manner that keeps your and your fellow students safe.
- Learning about the ethics that govern the use of animals in science.
On Wednesday the Advanced group moved on the exploreadvanced and innovative lab procedures and techniques, including, PCR experiments (Polymerase Chain Reactions). Bright Lights is very lucky to have so many graduate researchers from the University of Toronto working with us. Today our were brought into the realm of micromeasurement and learned how to wield one of a scientists best tools – the micropipette. They then used this newly developed skill to carry out experiments incorporating genetics and DNA, culminating on a lab module with the animal subjects, C. Elegans.
You can see more photos about our activities on our FaceBook Page. And please come back to this blog to hear about our field trip on Thursday and how we wrap up Week One.
bright lights in the lab 