Unlike the popular human time-sink, this was all in the name of science: specifically, simulating the human brain.

ENGADGET: Google simulates the human brain with 1000 machines, 16000 cores and a love of cats

In the name of science, three members of Dr Gallant's team each endured two sessions of fMRI while watching assorted film trailers.

ECONOMIST: Reading the brain

That's an MRI scan of New York Times writer Matt Richtel's brain that was captured while he played a simple driving game -- all in the name of science (and journalism), of course.

ENGADGET: This is your brain. This is your brain on video games Alt

All in the name of science, naturally.

ENGADGET: Alt-week 10.13.12: is the Universe a simulation, cloning dinosaurs and singing mice

Since we're not foolish enough to sacrifice our own expensive electronics in the name of culinary science, we caught wind of this neat trick from reader Brett, who decided to have a little fun with his not-under-warranty 'Box after the red lights of death made their dreaded appearance.

ENGADGET: Xbox 360: gaming console, media hub, and frying pan?

In the name of climate change science, researchers at NASA have dropped 90 rubber ducks into holes of Greenland's fastest moving glacier: the Jakobshavn Glacier in Baffin Bay.

CNN: Rubber ducks aid NASA study

He'll characterize the students' projects as "really cool, " and he'll call out some lucky winners by name while speaking to the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics ( STEM) education in the United States.

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