Testing times for memory record hopefuls (From York Press)
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Testing times for memory record hopefuls
7:50am Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in News
The head of biology at Huntington School, Claire Speck, centre, with pupils who took part in the bid to set a new world record for the world’s largest memory game
PUPILS at Huntington School in York attempted to set a record for the world’s largest memory game.
By sitting the ten-minute memory test, which was prepared by renowned experimental psychologist Prof Bruce Hood, the 40 pupils were contributing to a nationwide scientific study to mark the end of Biology Week.
Dr Mark Downs, chief executive of the Society of Biology, said schools, universities and learned societies across the country took the test simultaneously in a bid to set a record for the world’s largest memory game.
Dr Downs said it was hoped the record attempt would highlight the importance of neuroscience research, especially into diseases like Alzheimer’s, which affects about 500,000 people in the UK and is projected to increase.
The memory game was the last of a series of events being held to mark Biology Week and aimed to inspire the nation about the life sciences.
Other events included a debate about whether we should save the panda, an awards ceremony for a photography competition, and a launch in the House of Commons.
• Pupils at Huntington should hear this week whether they helped set a new world record.
