{"id":255,"date":"2017-06-12T18:29:46","date_gmt":"2017-06-12T17:29:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/engagement-and-impact\/?p=255"},"modified":"2025-03-25T14:46:24","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T14:46:24","slug":"bright-sparks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/engagement-and-impact\/bright-sparks\/","title":{"rendered":"Bright sparks"},"content":{"rendered":"
Never mind changing lightbulbs \u2013 how many neuroscientists does it take to show us how our brains work? In this case, just one: pharmacy lecturer Dr Mark Dallas.<\/div>\n
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Working with theatre company Filskit Theatre, on the Bright Sparks project, Dallas is helping to dispel myths about brain function, and giving children, teachers and scientists a vital insight into neuroscience.<\/p>\n

Bright Sparks is a high-quality, interactive theatre roadshow using light and electricity to represent how our brains work. Aimed at children aged 3\u20137 years and their families, the show \u2013 which premiered at the Polka Theatre\u2019s Brain Waves and has toured to positive reviews around the UK \u2013 is set inside the human brain. It illustrates the fallacy of the \u2018left and right brain\u2019 divide, showing that simultaneous, harmonious function is required to operate this extraordinary biological apparatus.<\/p>\n

Dallas also helped develop a laboratory element to the show for use by teachers and, through his blog, has shared his experience and knowledge with the scientific community. He is committed to develop these and other partnerships through his work with the STEM network, pub-based national science festival Pint of Science, and leading Alzheimer\u2019s charities.<\/p>\n

Shortlisted for the University Research Engagement and Impact Awards 2017<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

First published: June 2017<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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