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For a group of elementary students from the Salem area, this past summer was not a time to take a break from learning. Instead, they participated in a series of workshops that introduced them to the science of psychology in fun and interactive ways.

Rachael Blasiman, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at ����Թ� State Salem, and three of her students hosted the Mind Blown workshops at the Salem Public Library over five weeks in June and July. The sessions were designed for students in third through sixth grade with attendance ranging from six to 12 students per workshop.

Psychology majors Olivia Rice, Brock Ford and Brooke Dustman led the workshops that covered topics such as color perception, memory, optical illusions and problem solving. 

In the workshop called “Depth Perception Deception,” students learned how artists use tricks to make us see depth; drew a floating letter “A” on paper; examined different visual illusions; and created a 3D chalk art installation in front of the library.

Blasiman noted that she got the idea for this program after attending a conference last year, at which she learned about psychology students from another university working with a local museum on a similar community outreach effort – and how the college students benefited from participating.

“I thought the Salem Public Library would be a good place for me to replicate this with my own students and promote ����Թ� State Salem at the same time,” she said. “At first, (library staff) thought I wanted to run experiments on the children in the workshops, but I explained that the only data I collected would be from my own students’ experiences in running the workshops with me.”

The ����Թ� Sate students were involved with all aspects of the project, from start to finish. Blasiman explained that all three of her students completed quantitative methods and research methods courses, so they helped design student questions. Rice helped her apply for IRB (Research with Human Subjects) approval and for a University Research Council grant to purchase supplies.

“Olivia is analyzing the data we collected and plans to present our findings at two conferences in the coming year,” Blasiman noted. “It was a really fun experience for myself, my students and the elementary students who participated. My students gained experience in running a research study and communicating science to the public, while the children learned that psychology is interesting. I hope to continue this project next summer!”

Cutline A: Hosting the Mind Blown workshops were (from left) Brock Ford, Dr. Rachael Blasiman, Olivia Rice and Brooke Dustman.

Cutline B: Learning depth perception with chalk art at the Salem Public Library