We gathered some cool, creative, collaborative and community-minded supporters of both science and art at our favorite bike shop pub this week, to build new brain cells in support of the upcoming March for Science on Earth Day, April 22!
LEARN MORE: Science March PDX Twitter
LEARN MORE: March for Science PDX Facebook
LEARN MORE: Noggin @ March for Science!
Noggin Resource Council member for Portland State University Jacob Schoen applied his skill as a practiced museum preparator to create yet another striking neural network made from pipe cleaner brain cells, which dangled colorfully amidst rafter-hung bikes at the incomparable Velo Cult!
LEARN MORE: Brains, Beauty, & Brews: Noggin at the Phillips
LEARN MORE: The Art and Neuroscience of Change
LEARN MORE: Jacob Schoen: We ALL have BRAINS!
Amanda Thomas from Science on Tap and Jackie Wirz, Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies at OHSU – both organizers of the Portland March – offered spirited calls for participation in this April 22nd Earth Day event..!
Bill Griesar spoke about NW Noggin, and how our growing network of arts-trained science outreach volunteers are passionate about continuing federal support for research and education. We meet so many inspiring young people from Portland and Vancouver to San Diego, Davenport and DC, who are equally fascinated by evidence-based scientific discovery – and who are the “curious noggins” now developing the skills and understanding required to tackle our world’s toughest challenges…
SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS: Nonprofit Noggins!
We love making art, too – a great way to visibly support Portland’s March!
Jeff Leake introduced our pipe cleaner neuron project, as Velo attendees began twisting and bending their chosen strands, piled high on bar room tables, into Purkinje cells, stellate neurons, basket cells, hair cells, photoreceptors, claustrum neurons – and even the end-bulbs of Krause (!)…
Brain cells are the perfect symbol for the March for Science. Neurons connect and form networks that effectively route information and let organisms, including us, respond to changes in our world with organized and successful behavior….
Pipe cleaner neurons are also colorful, bright and highly visible, demonstrate structural and functional facts about our nervous systems, and allow for creative expression…
DISCOVER: Pipe Cleaner Neuron Project Background
CREATE: How to make a pipe cleaner neuron
WATCH: Making pipe cleaner neurons in the classroom
We brought out extra brains for examination and contemplation of the billions of networked neurons that coordinate cognitive and perceptual experiences, and where federal research dollars are helping address Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, opioid dependence, alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression and a host of additional public health concerns…
Many thanks as always to Velo Cult for supporting arts and brains (and bikes and beers!)…
