Science Spotlights: Your Brain | Some Like It Hot

Meet up-and-coming scientists and learn about questions at the forefront of research today in this series of short talks.

2:00–2:30 pm

Highways and Cars in Your Brain

Did you know that some neurons can stretch nearly a meter long? They also can transport materials a thousand times smaller than a human hair. These long cells form your nervous system, carrying signals that let you think, move, and feel. How do they maintain their structure and move cargo across such vast distances? Join Harvard PhD graduate student Mara Casebeer of the Needleman Lab to explore the dynamic transport system inside neurons, where microtubules act as highways and motor proteins as tiny cars, keeping your brain running smoothly.

3:00–3:30 pm 

Some Like it Hot …But Why?

Just like us, animals have different personalities. From dogs and octopuses to tiny fruit flies, individuality is everywhere in the animal kingdom. For example, some flies may prefer warmer temperatures to colder ones, or turning in one direction over another. Why do these differences exist? And why does evolution keep them around? Join Harvard graduate student Shraddha Lall of the de Bivort Lab as she investigates these big questions and delves into the world of animal behavior.

20-minute talks followed by 10-minute Q&A session. Recommended for ages 10 and up.

Regular museum admission rates apply.