How 11-year-olds helped discover secrets of healthy brain ageing

Wed May 20 2026 at 11:00 am to 12:00 pm UTC+01:00

Craigmillar Library | Edinburgh

College Of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine
Publisher/HostCollege Of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine
How 11-year-olds helped discover secrets of healthy brain ageing
Advertisement
What can a school test taken at age 11 reveal about your life 80 years later?
About this Event

As part of Local Heritage Month, discover one of Scotland’s most remarkable stories—where ordinary schoolchildren from 1947 became part of a world-leading study into memory, ageing, and the human mind.

Decades after sitting a simple classroom test, some were invited by the University of Edinburgh to take part in a unique research journey that continues today. Now turning 90, their experiences are helping scientists understand how our thinking skills change across a lifetime.

This event brings their story to life—showing how local people became key contributors to ground-breaking discoveries about healthy brain ageing.

No scientific background needed—just curiosity. Come along and be part of the story.

This event will be facilitated by Barbora Skarabela, Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology | PPLS and Edinburgh Futures Institute.

***

This event is free and open to all.

Please indicate any access requirements when you register to attend.

***

Privacy notice

Details of the University of Edinburgh full privacy notice can be found here

We want to run a safe and accessible event and provide the best possible experience for you. By providing any information required on the booking form, you are giving the University consent to hold and process this data about you and to advise our suppliers of these details, under data protection regulations, for the purpose of running this event. By providing this information about your guest[s], you are confirming that you have their permission to share this data with the University for the same purposes. Any accessibility requirements are deleted following completion of the event.


Photography notice

This event may be photographed and/or recorded for promotional or recruitment materials for the University and University approved third parties. For further information please contact [email protected]

Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Tickets

USD 0.00

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Edinburgh

AI in the Workplace: Opportunities and Challenges Edinburgh
Wed, 20 May at 08:15 am AI in the Workplace: Opportunities and Challenges Edinburgh

Aberdein Considine

Cyber Security: SecRec - Recruiting & Vetting Securely - Edinburgh
Wed, 20 May at 09:30 am Cyber Security: SecRec - Recruiting & Vetting Securely - Edinburgh

Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre

Wee Bit Social Coffee & Chat May
Wed, 20 May at 10:00 am Wee Bit Social Coffee & Chat May

Tigerlily

CAREGIVERS & VOLUNTEERS Meditation & Journaling classes FREE
Wed, 20 May at 10:00 am CAREGIVERS & VOLUNTEERS Meditation & Journaling classes FREE

LifeCare Edinburgh

WeeRave Edinburgh
Wed, 20 May at 11:30 am WeeRave Edinburgh

The Rusty Seagull

Kin Buggy & Sling Walk
Wed, 20 May at 02:00 pm Kin Buggy & Sling Walk

Leith Links

Inaugural Lecture - Professor Jill Burke
Wed, 20 May at 05:15 pm Inaugural Lecture - Professor Jill Burke

Meadows Lecture Theatre, Old Medical School - Doorway 4

Digital Skills 4 Girls Edinburgh: Playing with Teachable Machine
Wed, 20 May at 05:30 pm Digital Skills 4 Girls Edinburgh: Playing with Teachable Machine

CodeBase Edinburgh

20s & 30s Single's Mixer Event with Love at First Sign
Wed, 20 May at 06:00 pm 20s & 30s Single's Mixer Event with Love at First Sign

The Alchemist George Street

Anatomy: Burke to Bioethics
Wed, 20 May at 06:00 pm Anatomy: Burke to Bioethics

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Edinburgh Events