The Human Spark crew visited Helen Neville in her Brain Development Lab at the University of Oregon. Check out some behind-the-scenes photos from our day filming with her and colleagues — and research volunteers.
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- Young Volunteers
Research in Helen Neville’s lab at the University of Oregon depends on young volunteers who are willing to watch videos while their brain activity is monitored, non-invasively of course! Credit: Larry Engel
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- Conducting Goo
Looks kind of intimidating, but researchers just use this stuff to apply conducting goo to volunteers’ scalps so the brain’s activity can be more easily recorded through the skull. Not even a haircut is required! Credit: Maggie Villiger
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- In the Testing Room
The “Human Spark” crew piles into the testing room, where researchers are explaining to volunteer Danica what she will be doing. Alan Alda looks on as Larry Engel films and John Garrett records sound. Credit: Maggie Villiger
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- Danica in the EEG Cap
Danica has been fitted with her EEG cap and some goo is being squirted into the holes to help conduct the brain’s signal to the electrodes. Credit: Maggie Villiger
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- All Hooked Up
All hooked up, Danica watches a cartoon that has semantic errors in the narration. The researchers want to see how her brain reacts to these mistakes. Credit: Larry Engel
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- Alan's Turn
Now it’s Alan’s turn to have his brain activity monitored. Will his brain respond to semantic or grammatical errors, even if the language he’s listening to is gibberish? Credit: Larry Engel
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- Wired Up
Alan’s all wired up and ready to go. You can’t have too much vanity as the host of “The Human Spark”! Credit: Larry Engel
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- Professor Helen Neville
Professor Helen Neville explains the results of her studies to Alan. Credit: Larry Engel
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- Coffee Break
After a long day shooting in Eugene, the crew hit the road back up to Portland to catch an early morning flight to the next location. Along the way, a rest stop doubled as a coffee break. Credit: Larry Engel
