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Blair Students Participate in Brain Awareness Day
Education Mar 09, 2017
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The Pasadena Unified School District’s (PUSD) Health Careers Academy is partnering with Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) to raise awareness about brain health and disease among youth.
Blair Middle School seventh and eighth grades heard from leading doctors, researchers, and scientists during the third annual Brain Awareness Day, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. on the middle school campus.
The day will feature lessons, exhibits, and hands-on learning activities presented by students who worked with HMRI scientists. “This is a terrific opportunity for Pasadena Unified students to learn from experts and interact with leading scientists,” said Dr. Marisa Sarian, Pasadena Unified’s Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education. “Our continuing partnership with HMRI is creating unique possibilities for Health Careers Academy students to expand their understanding of the brain and get experience in biotechnology, neuroscience, and other medical careers outside the classroom.’’
Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) is Pasadena’s only dedicated medical research institute. This year, Brain Awareness Day activities include presentations such as The Heart’s Impact on the Brain, Sparks: Electrical Signals from the Brain, My Head Hurts: Migraine, The Developing Brain, and Brain (MRI) Imaging.
“Brain Awareness Day is a great opportunity for HMRI physicians and scientists to partner with Pasadena Unified to educate kids and remind parents in our community that our brains are vulnerable and need protection – at all stages of life,” said Dr. Marie Csete, President & Chief Scientist of HMRI. “We are eager to use this special day to bring awareness to a plethora of important brain-related issues and inspire kids to potentially pursue an interest in the sciences.”
For several years now, HMRI has been providing complimentary brain imaging scans to eligible Pasadena Unified student athletes through its traumatic brain injury monitoring program.
Blair High School’s Health Careers Academy prepares students for a range of medical careers. The curriculum includes college-preparatory courses, guest speakers from partner organizations, job shadowing, student research, career exploration visits, and internships with health professionals. The Health Careers Academy is one of Pasadena Unified’s nine College and Career Academies which prepare students for college and careers and are aligned with college entrance requirements, industry needs, and career projections.
