Psych demo to take place at Children’s Museum

Jousha Schuetz
Staff Writer

The Psychology Department at Minnesota State University, Mankato will be presenting children with a variety of demonstrations in the science of psychology.

The goal of the event is to get more kids interested in psychology and appreciate the complexity of the human mind, along with various enjoyable activities.

“The main message is that psychology is a science and it is important to learn this and be open to studying the science of how humans behave at a young age,” said Dr. Karla Lassonde, a professor of psychology at MNSU who is helping with the event.

The demonstrations will take place at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, Mankato and include discussions about the human brain and what it looks like, as well as some practical ways to improve one’s memory skills. Some activities for kids at the event include wearing spatial vision goggles to experience changes in spatial perception, and building model neurons out of craft supplies.

For Dr. Lassonde, an important part of these demonstrations is diversifying the perception of psychology among children. “We aim to change the perception that psychology is all about clinical practice, which is very important but only one part of the hundreds of areas of study.” 

If you can’t make it one day, don’t worry! The demonstrations will take place Friday, March 15 from 1-3 p.m. and Monday, March 25 from 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m.

The demonstrations will occur  at  the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, located in Mankato. The only expenditures required of attendees will be the price of admission or membership to the CMSM.