Where is NW Noggin?
Our innovative graduate and undergraduate art and neuroscience volunteers are Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) Juice award-winning developing experts in science communication, synapsing for science, and teaching in schools, theaters, museums, urban and rural communities, homeless youth centers, breweries, correctional facilities, Congress and bike shop pubs! For more information see NOGGIN BLOGGIN.NW Noggin is a locally sourced, 501(c)(3) ALL-VOLUNTEER shoestring nonprofit organization. Your tax-deductible contribution supports the purchase of sheep brains, pipe cleaners, electrodes and clay for innovative, arts-integrated outreach, and helps send volunteers from local universities (including Portland State University, OHSU, and other area institutions) to public school classrooms, conferences and free community events.
DONATE HERE!
LEARN MORE: Community Neuroscience: How to Build an Outreach Organization
NW Noggin: Art + Brains
STEAMing back to Washington!
A Vignette of Voles
Nostalgia and BRAINS!
Join us in Chile in 2025!
Please join us SUMMER 2025 in Valparaíso, Chile - the home of the Humboldt squid! 🦑⚡️🧠🎨😃 We'll explore how neurons carry information, and how research in Chile (involving the squid’s giant fused axons) led to our understanding of the electrical signaling that links our experiences to the world. We’ll visit laboratories to examine the rich history and exciting present of research at the Universidad de Chile en Valparaíso, make art (including arpilleras, woven depictions of experience that help people express challenging memories and preserve them for accountability), and contribute to community engagement through Ciencia al Tiro, a local STEAM (STEM + Arts) outreach nonprofit. We may even create a public mural celebrating famed neurology patient Phineas Gage, who lived for several years after his infamous accident - and drove a stagecoach - in the city of Valpo!
LEARN MORE: LAS NEURONAS SON BACANES.
Why do we think too hard?
Post by Melissa Garcia, an undergraduate at Portland State University pursuing a major Psychology with a minor in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience. Why do I feel trapped in my mind? Why I can’t escape myself? Thoughts like these can impact people who live under pressure and face stress in their lives. I’ve…
Flex Your Muscles … and Your Brain!
Ben Johnston is finishing his Bachelor of Science in Applied Health and Fitness with a minor in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience at Portland State University. He previously earned an AAS degree in Exercise Science at Portland Community College. Recently, I’ve been able to join fellow students to visit OMSI (for the Brain…
Clinical Trials and Finding Hope
Post by Holly Parrish, undergraduate in Psychology and minor in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience at Portland State University. Holly volunteers as a clinical research intern for the Nuvox2 study in a clinical research lab at the Center for Neurosciences Tucson in Arizona. My name is Holly Parrish, and I am a senior…
Genetics, Behavior and Big Data
Post (and illustrations) by Ben Wall, a senior at Portland State University graduating in June, 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience. Originally from Hood River, Oregon, Ben spent ten years in forestry and two years as a case worker for the homeless…
Let it Shine!
Post by Pearl Ton, a pre-med undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and minors in both Business Administration and Interdisciplinary Neuroscience at Portland State University. Hi there! My name is Pearl and I’m a premed student at Portland State University. My major is Psychology while my minors include Interdisciplinary Neuroscience and Business Administration.…
Déja Vu, Dreams, and Mechanisms of Memory
Post and (most!) photography by Shae Zeimantz, undergraduate in Psychology pursuing an Interdisciplinary Neuroscience minor at Portland State University. “I feel like I’ve dreamed half of my life that hasn’t happened yet, so a lot of times I’m going along, and I do stuff, and I know that I’ve done…
It’s Not Me, It’s My Amygdala!
Post by Catriona Swallow, undergraduate in Psychology and Social Science pursuing a minor in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience at Portland State University. Cat is a Research Assistant in Dr. Tessa Dover’s StRIID Lab and President of the Neuroscience Club at PSU. The Importance of Neuroscience Education for All It was a bright…
Character Building (literally!) on the Coast
Post by Kadi Rae Smith, undergraduate in Psychology with a minor in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience at Portland State University. Kadi Rae is the Vice President of the PSU Neuroscience Club, and both they and their service dog Roadie are welcome and accomplished participants in Noggin outreach. This spring I joined a very special outreach adventure, a…
Pre-school behaviors – in the brain!
Post by Rocio Garcia, an undergraduate in Psychology pursuing a minor in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience at Portland State University. Rocio is currently a substitute teacher at the Montessori of Alameda school in Portland, Oregon. My name is Rocio Garcia, and I am an undergraduate senior at PSU, majoring in Psychology and…
Is stress ever good?
Post by Angrich Brophy (she/her), pursuing undergraduate studies in Speech and Hearing Sciences, and an Interdisciplinary Neuroscience minor at Portland State University. College students get stressed! Various external factors can come into play, along with some self-induced ones. One of my top stressors in college is learning how to balance…
Synapsing in San Diego
“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.” ―Maya Angelou.
Our AMAZING volunteers organized the largest all ages Art & Neuroscience Festival in the Pacific Northwest! We offered live bands, science-inspired art, neuroscience research presentations, and the chance to ask questions and examine real brains! The fifth annual Noggin Fest helped send more young scientists and artists to the Society for Neuroscience conference in San Diego - and into San Diego Unified Public Schools! LEARN MORE @ Brains Beyond SfN!.