Brief: Outreach Group Spreads Love of Science in the Nation’s Capital

With the goal of sharing the joy of science with the world, about two dozen volunteers from the Northwest Neuroscience Outreach Group (Growing in Networks), or NW NOGGIN, came to Washington, DC, recently for a week of outreach and education.

WATCH:  NW NOGGIN HOUSE BRIEFING VIDEO

During two briefings on Capitol Hill, Neuroscience Coordinator Bill Griesar and Arts Coordinator Jeff Leake described how NW NOGGIN brings neuroscience students and early career scientists together for events that aim to excite K-12 students and the public about the brain.

Congressional Neuroscience Caucus Chair Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Congressional Science, Technology, Education, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM) Caucus Chair Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) also spoke enthusiastically about the importance of education and neuroscience research, and they praised NW NOGGIN for its effective work in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Attendees asked questions and participated in activities including examining human brains, learning the functions of each part of the brain via a computer program, and making pipe cleaner neuron models.

The briefing was sponsored by NW NOGGIN, WSU Vancouver, Portland State University, OHSU, the Portland Art Museum, the Phillips Collection, the American Brain Coalition, the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus, and the Congressional STEAM Caucus.

NW NOGGIN attended several other events in the DC area, including at the White House and NIH. Visit NW NOGGIN’s website for more pictures and descriptions of all of the events.