“I’ve been very involved in science literacy because it’s critically important in our world today…As a public, we’re asked to vote on issues,…accept explanations,…figure out what to do with our own health care, and you can’t do that unless you have some level of science literacy.”
― Mae C. Jemison
Coronavirus, climate, housing and food insecurity, energy infrastructure, resource management – these days we’re all called upon to make critical decisions about personal and community health and welfare.
These challenges are enormous, and can make us anxious.
Anxiety involves feeling your own body – your beating heart, for example, along with intrusive thoughts about potential consequences. The more intense this feels, the harder it is to consider and make better informed decisions.
LEARN MORE: Anxiety Disorders
LEARN MORE: Treatment of anxiety disorders
LEARN MORE: Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
LEARN MORE: Mental health @ McMenamin’s
Taking steps to effectively address concerns can help reduce anxiety, while protecting ourselves and those around us. If we want to meet our local and global challenges, these decisions should be informed by accurate, evidence-based information.
- LEARN MORE: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Summary (from the National Institutes of Health)
LEARN MORE: Americans may know more than you think about science
LEARN MORE: Science Literacy: Concepts, Contexts, and Consequences
LEARN MORE: Science Literacy for Communities
Yet much of current U.S. political leadership is scientifically illiterate.
“Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.”
― Carl Sagan
LEARN MORE: Trump Stares at the Sun During the Eclipse
LEARN MORE: Do us a favor (from Science magazine)
Coordination of the federal response to the coronavirus, for example, is now tasked to a Vice President (Mike Pence) whose ill-informed policies as governor of Indiana worsened the spread of HIV infection in that state.
LEARN MORE: Dynamics of the HIV Outbreak and Response in Scott County, Indiana, 2011-2015
LEARN MORE: How Mike Pence Made Indiana’s HIV Outbreak Worse
LEARN MORE: Coronavirus: Four times Mike Pence denied health-related science
Incorrect information, biased and ineffective measures – and deliberate dishonesty – all serve to deepen public anxiety, making it harder for people to productively respond.
“One moment of incompetence can be fatal.”
― Frank Herbert
LEARN MORE: ‘He’s gonna get us all killed’: sense of unease after Trump coronavirus speech
LEARN MORE: White House’s ‘muzzled’ coronavirus messaging is dangerous, experts say
LEARN MORE: ‘It’s Just Everywhere Already’: How Delays in Testing Set Back the U.S. Coronavirus Response
LEARN MORE: Official: White House didn’t want to tell seniors not to fly
LEARN MORE: Inside Trump Administration, Debate Raged Over What to Tell Public
LEARN MORE: Trump’s Playbook Is Terribly Ill-Suited to a Pandemic
Happily the annual OHSU Brain Fair at the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) is an inspiring balm for the anxiety-inducing inadequacy of the current White House!
“I don’t want to believe. I want to know.”
― Carl Sagan
NW Noggin brought more than 30 informed, scientifically engaged volunteers to OMSI this weekend for a full day of art and brain activities with our Northwest community!
Our welcome NW Noggin volunteers included NIH BUILD EXITO scholars McKenzie Figuracion, Mikah Brandes, Andrea Rano and Isabella Maranghi from Portland State University, Bekah Obradovich, Carli Cox, Chloe Voshell, Anky Guchait, Annabelle Winking, Drew Sinclair, Danny Gray, Kassidy Fitzgerald, Ash Marlin, Brittani Southard, Albert Shiue, Nuno Busch, Beth Woodward, Sydney Duran, Will Nasi, Greyson Moore, Taylor Almond, Zoie Harpole, Sai Kiersarsky, Cam Howard, Katie Hashimoto and Jesus Martinez from PSU, Iris Guttierez from WSU Vancouver, Arielle Isakharov from OHSU, Aaron Eisen from the National University of Natural Medicine, and Angela Hendrix from NW Noggin.
Curious Portlanders streamed into Portland’s riverside science museum for FREE on Saturday from 10 – 5pm!
OMSI is pricey for many families, with $15 tickets for “adults” aged 14 and up, plus additional charges for “blockbuster” shows like the current Body Worlds, where you can “Experience the science and splendor of the human body through all stages of life with an up-close view of real human specimens.”
Did someone say “up close view of real human specimens?” Brains, brain research and NW Noggin volunteers: Scientific literacy aiming to be accessible, inclusive and free 🙂
LEARN MORE: Museums are for the rich
Thankfully the Portland Alcohol Research Center at OHSU generously fueled the 30+ noggins of those bringing the (extra!) brains – and their welcome expertise and enthusiasm – as valued, scientifically literate volunteers to Brain Fair this year!
Thank you PARC!
LEARN MORE: Thankful for brains
We had a blast!
LEARN MORE: LEARN MORE: Making a Pipe Cleaner Neuron
LEARN MORE: Neuron Gelatin Prints
So many insightful questions, and such genuine interest in understanding and exploring federally funded neuroscience research, coronavirus, educational and job opportunities, neuroanatomy, mental health,…
LEARN MORE: Ageing and the brain
LEARN MORE: Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study
LEARN MORE: Age and its influence on second language acquisition
LEARN MORE: Language learning in the adult brain: A neuroanatomical meta-analysis of lexical and grammatical learning
LEARN MORE: White matter structure changes as adults learn a second language
LEARN MORE: Overview of Neuron Structure and Function
LEARN MORE: How do neurons send electrical messages?
LEARN MORE: What is NW Noggin?
There were fewer Brain Fair visitors this year, perhaps partly due to anxiety over COVID-19.
LEARN MORE: South by Southwest becomes latest coronavirus cancellation. Here’s the full list.
LEARN MORE: Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019
By our informal “nitrile glove estimate” of attendance, we counted ~300 people (six boxes of 100 gloves each) holding brains, versus ~900 (18 boxes!) from last year’s event.
Our sincere thanks to our valued, welcome NW Noggin volunteers who spent an entire March Saturday listening and helping foster science literacy amongst the next generation of leaders. And thank you PARC for pizza, coffee & supplies!
