A group of doctoral students from the Program in Neuroscience have gained recognition in the Brain Awareness video contest organized by BrainFacts.org and the Society for Neuroscience. The team, consisting of Allison George, Gina Rizzo, and Diana Guarino, aimed to make neuroscience accessible through a creative claymation video on circadian rhythms.
Lindsey Czarnecki, the outreach organizer for the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, introduced the contest to the students. They were tasked with creating a video that could educate and engage viewers. The team chose claymation as their medium because they believed it could captivate a broad audience if executed well.
The topic of circadian rhythms was selected intentionally due to its relevance. "We wanted to pick something broad and relevant," they said. "Circadian rhythms are something everyone can relate to." Their story connected neuroscience with everyday life, touching on issues like sleep struggles and light exposure.
With only three weeks before the submission deadline, the students embarked on crafting clay models and animating each frame. It was their first experience with claymation, which presented challenges but also rewards. "It was time-consuming and occasionally frustrating," they admitted. However, completing the project brought satisfaction.
Explaining circadian rhythms concisely within a three-minute timeframe required precision. "We had to be precise," they explained. The final video aimed to be informative yet engaging for all viewers, regardless of their scientific background.
The team's goal was to reach anyone curious enough to watch while inspiring future scientists by showing that science involves creativity beyond labs and experiments.
Alfredo Fontanini, Chair of the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, praised their efforts: “This is a phenomenal example of how a group of very (multi)talented trainees can reach out to wide audiences and communicate complex concepts in a fun and accessible way."
Their work earned them placement in the contest but also highlighted how science can connect people when imagination meets knowledge.
For those interested in understanding how light affects our brain's clock, watching their claymation offers an engaging look at neuroscience in action.