We at Neuromatch 4.0 wish to open up science conferences to everyone and that is why we have included a session for kids and the young at heart. The NMC for kids has three excellent speakers from around the globe to talk about the balance system from bird butts to space:

1. “Birds balance with their butts” by Bing Wen Brunton (Associate Prof of Biology at University of Washington, Seattle)
2. “The brain in motion” by Jenifer L. Campos (Associate Prof, University of Toronto)
3. “Getting ready for Mars: what happens to the brain in space?” By Elisa R Ferre (Senior Lecturer, Birkbeck University of London)

What is the age range for Neuromatch for kids session?

The talks are intended for an age range of 8 to 108 years old but younger and older can attend.

What date/time is the Neuromatch for Kids session?

Who can attend the Neuromatch for kids session?

The NMC for kids is open to everyone:

• People who are attending the conference can watch with or without kids.
• People who are not at the conference can watch with or without kids.
• Teachers can watch with their classes.

How do I watch the talks?

The talks will be on crowdcast, to watch them live all need to do is go to https://www.crowdcast.io/e/NMC4/4 it will ask for an email and then send a link. The talks will also be recorded and available to watch afterwards.

If I attend the talks can I ask questions?

• Absolutely, the more questions the merrier, science is all about questions.
• If you have any questions beforehand just reply to this tweet thread:

The whole family can attend NMC4.0 at the NMC-kids session with three excellent talks:
1. Birds balance with their butts @bingbrunton
2. The brain in motion @JennyCamposPhD
3. Getting ready for Mars: what happens to the brain in space? @ElisaRFerre pic.twitter.com/HF5TJKXoEO

— Neuromatch (@neuromatch) November 18, 2021

Are there any materials I can read or watch with my kids beforehand to learn about it more about the balance system?

Prof. Jennifer Campos has co-authored a paper for kids on the vestibular system. Jennifer is also the director of the Knowledge, Innovation, Talent, Everywhere in Toronto which has excellent Youth Outreach about their research, you can learn more about watch it by watching the mini tour video https://kiteyouth.com/minitour

Dr Elisa R Ferre work has been written about in the BBC Science Focus magazine, which includes a video about Yoga in Space. And Elisa has even been involved in making music in zero gravity with The Zero Gravity Band

Prof Bing Wen Brunton will talk about a new research. To get a feel for Bing’s excellent science communication here is a little tweet where she explained to her kids about “why is the sky blue?” using physics, probability and perception:

So… our kid asked “Why is the sky blue” knowing that they never get short answers about anything from @eigensteve and me. Great way to get out of trouble. And now we have colorful notes pic.twitter.com/abQJlYtrxC

— Bing Wen Brunton (@bingbrunton) October 16, 2021