Psychology students present "Sensational Perceptions" fair

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: (907) 474-7902
04/06/06

Participants in next week’s Sensational Perceptions fair will have a chance to see music, learn how color affects mood and feel the sensation of a "phantom limb." These sensory experiences are part of more than a dozen booths slated to appear as part of the free biennial event Tuesday, April 11 from 9-11:30 a.m. at the West Valley High School library.

The fair is a result of collaboration between University of Alaska Fairbanks psychology professor Dani Raap and West Valley High School psychology teacher Joy Grubis. Throughout the spring semester, students from Raap’s senior-level sensation and perception class teamed with Grubis’ juniors and seniors to create booths demonstrating various aspects of human senses or perceptual processes. The hands-on interactive booths aim to provide in-depth information to the Fairbanks community about how our senses and resulting perceptions shape our world.

The collaboration is also a community service component of the psychology degree at UAF. It aims to offer information to the public, encourage high school students to study psychology and build partnerships with local secondary schools, students and teachers. Students from both classes learn life and academic skills such as creativity, teamwork, leadership, delegation, meeting deadlines, marketing and targeting a product for a diverse audience.

The Sensational Perceptions fair is free and open to the public. Visitors should check in at the West Valley office before proceeding to the library.

CONTACT: UAF psychology Professor Dani Raap at (907) 474-6514 or via e-mail at dani.raap@uaf.edu . Joy Grubis, psychology teacher at West Valley High School, at (907) 479-4221 or via e-mail at jgrubis@northstar.k12.ak.us . UAF Public Information Officer Marmian Grimes at (907) 474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@uaf.edu .