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Faculty of Science

Department Of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour

Outreach and the Community

Midshipman Marine Connections

Midshipman Marine Connections is a partnership between the Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Lab (ABEL) from the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, Let’s Talk Science, the Vancouver Aquarium, and the University of British Columbia Centennial Fund. Volunteers trained by the Vancouver Aquarium visit biology classes from high-priority schools in Surrey, British Columbia and teach students about marine habitat, local marine species, and field data collection techniques. The program culminates in a day-long field trip to a local beach where students engage in citizen science projects using skills taught during classroom visits. The program is intended to improve science literacy and highlight the importance of conservation. The program ran from 2016-2019 and is intended to take place annually, but is currently on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information about the Midshipman Marine Connections program, contact Dr. Sigal Balshine at sigal@mcmaster.ca. Learn more about ABEL and Let’s Talk Science by visiting our websites.

Fishing For Science

Fishing For Science is a science outreach program in collaboration between the Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Laboratory (ABEL) from the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, and Let’s Talk Science (LTS). The program runs annually with grades 6 to 8 students from high-priority schools in Hamilton. Volunteers from ABEL and LTS run hands-on activities related to sustainability, water quality, and biodiversity while connecting these concepts to conservation activities and research in Hamilton Harbour. The program involves classroom visits and a field trip to Pier 4 Park, where students catch fish, weigh and measure invasive round gobies, and use microscopes! For more information, contact Dr. Sigal Balshine (director of ABEL) at sigal@mcmaster.ca. To learn more about ABEL and LTS, visit our websites.

Hamilton Brain Bee

The Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour is proud to host the Annual Hamilton Brain Bee, a neuroscience challenge for high school students in the Hamilton-Halton area (including Ancaster, Burlington, Dundas, Grimsby, Hamilton, and Stoney Creek). During the competition, students demonstrate their knowledge about the brain and neuroscience, including fascinating topics like memory, stress, movement, addiction, sleep, and neurological disorders. Students in grades 9-12 are welcome, and registration is free!

For more information, contact Dr. Judith Shedden at shedden@mcmaster.ca, or visit our website at Hamilton Brain Bee.

Canadian National Brain Bee

The Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour is proud to host the Annual Canadian National Bree Bee, a neuroscience challenge for high school students across Canada! This event is meant to inspire young minds to pursue careers in scientific research and medicine. The winner of the Canadian National Brain Bee earns fame, prizes, a research internship, and a spot at the International Brain Bee!
For more information, contact Dr. Judith Shedden at shedden@mcmaster.ca, or visit our website at Hamilton Brain Bee.

LIVELab

The LIVELab is a 106-seat research-based performance theatre and testing centre. In addition to neuroscientific research, the LIVELab encourages creative use of technology in unique music and multi-media performances.

  • The LIVELab Concert Series offers high quality artistic performances for the community and creates memorable one-of-a-kind showcases for local and national artists.
  • The NeuroMusic Conference welcomes prominent international music cognition researchers to present their latest studies to an audience of psychologists, neuroscientists, musicians, educators, graduate and undergraduate students, and interested community members.
  • Go behind the scenes at LIVELab! Free behind the scenes public tours for groups and individuals are offered by LIVELab students and staff throughout the year. Tours are held monthly and take approximately 45 minutes. Email livelab@mcmaster.ca for upcoming tour dates.
  • The LIVELab is also one of the featured events in ScienceRendezvous, a nationwide family festival that “takes science out of the lab and onto the street.” Check out the LIVELab’s virtual Science Rendezvous page for some fun games related to Music and Movement!
  • For more information on the LIVELab, email livelab@mcmaster.ca or visit us at our website.

McMaster Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)

The McMaster Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) is an integrated network of academics and professionals in science and engineering fields. Together, we aim to support, celebrate, and advocate for diversity & equity at McMaster University and in our surrounding community through community outreach, mentorship, and an annual conference. McMaster WISE is organized by an interdisciplinary team of graduate and undergraduate students.
For more information, contact wiseinitiative@gmail.com, or visit our website.