Community Outreach


PNR&D Scientists Judge Local Science Fairs

During the Spring of 2006, several PNR&D scientists will volunteer their time to judge local science fairs. The PNR&D is strongly committed to furthering scientific interests in young students in the hopes that they may consider scientific research as a possible career. In addition to judging science fairs at the elementary and middle school level, PNR&D scientists will also judge the 48th Annual Southeast Michigan Science Fair which will be held on March 10-11, 2006. This science fair is sponsored by the University of Michigan, Washtenaw Community College, and Pfizer in cooperation with public and private schools in the five county regions (Livingston, Washtenaw, Monroe, Hillsdale and Lenawee counties).

Kirk in the Hills

Dr. Feldman spoke at the Men of the Kirk Breakfast Program on Friday, February 4, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. The program was initiated by Kirk in the Hills to give its members the opportunity to hear respected individuals from the community speak on a wide variety of topics.

Brains Rule! Neuroscience Exposition

On October 1, 2004, the PNR&D participated in the Brains Rule educational program at the Ann Arbor Hands-on-Museum. This annual event invites laboratory personnel from the University of Michigan and local industries, including Pfizer, to design a 15-minute science fair presentation geared specifically for 12-year old students from the area schools. The students rotate through the exhibits and eventually vote on which project they liked the best. The PNR&D laboratory presented “I PFoUND Nemo,” which used the characters from Disney’s Finding Nemo to explain reflexes and pain stimuli. This event’s goal was to foster a student’s interest in the physiology and the amazing capabilities of the brain and the nervous system by using new and exciting teaching methods.

The Victorian Festival

Northville’s annual Victorian Festival, which took place from September 17-19, 2004 is an event sponsored by the Northville Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the town's special heritage. Besides the old fashioned games, food booths, antique show, and fine art market, there were also informational booths. Among them was the PNR&D booth. Doctors and scientists from the program were available to converse with the public and answer any questions regarding neurological diseases. The festival provided a blend of entertainment as the doctors and scientists found themselves in Victorian attire and information with lots of educational brochures. The Victorian Fair also provided a forum to inform the people of PNR&D’s second annual walk/run taking place on October 2, 2004.