Come join us!
Our PSU participants are inspired by the university’s drive to “Let Knowledge Serve,” and actively engage in STEAM (STEM + Art) NW Noggin outreach throughout the year.
Networks of colorful pipe cleaner neurons hang in the Psychology Office lobby In Cramer Hall 🙂
Outreach through Northwest Noggin
LEARN MORE: Noggin Bloggin
A regularly updated summary of our outreach visits and activities, with an emphasis on the science presented, and the arts projects designed to engage students and the public about research exploring the link between our brains and behavior.
LEARN MORE: Calendar of Events
What’s next on our schedule? How can you get involved?
Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Association
Portland State is home to an ACTIVE undergraduate Neuroscience Club!
Students in the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Association invite prestigious scientists and authors, present posters at annual Society for Neuroscience conferences, participate in community outreach and help organize the annual NOGGINFEST!
LEARN MORE: Neuroscience Club @ Portland State University
Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Minor
For students interested in pursuing more neuroscience at Portland State, the Department of Psychology offers (along with Biology and Speech & Hearing Sciences) a minor in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience!!
STEAM Ahead: A new interdisciplinary neuroscience minor at Portland State!
NOTE: For the minor’s Core C requirement, students complete either a PSY 401: Research or PSY 403: Outreach “by arrangement.” You MUST have instructor permission to participate.
Learn more from THIS WEBSITE and the syllabi available here:
LEARN MORE: WHAT IS RESEARCH LIKE?
LEARN MORE: WHAT IS OUTREACH LIKE?
LEARN MORE: Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Minor at Portland State University
More about NW Noggin outreach @ PSU
The chance to collaborate with graduate students and fellow undergraduates from OHSU and other campuses to design and then deliver instruction to K-12 students in Oregon and Washington public schools is an extraordinary educational experience.
You gain confidence in public speaking, you learn about current efforts in graduate research, you discover the power of art in conveying complex concepts in neuroscience and psychology, and you know what it’s like to plan lessons and teach.
And you help enthuse a new generation of scientists and artists!
We encourage you to get involved!
Please contact Resource Council Member for Communications Aaron Eisen (aaeisen.pdx@gmail.com), Bill Griesar (griesar@pdx.edu) and Jeff Leake (jleake@pdx.edu) to learn more 🙂
FALL TERM
To prepare for interdisciplinary neuroscience outreach there are courses you are encouraged to take at Portland State in fall term. Fall term courses and syllabi are available below.
Introduction to Neurophysiological Psychology (Psychology 451)
Perception (Psychology 347); co-taught by an artist and a neuroscientist!
Introduction to Psychology (Psychology 201Z; formerly PSY 200)
WINTER TERM
In winter term, students may enroll in Advanced Neurophysiological Psychology (Psychology 452), which invites graduate students from OHSU’s Department of Behavioral Neuroscience into the classroom.
In addition to acquiring further experience with neuroscience, PSU undergraduates also gain valuable insight into current research, and learn more about their options for graduate education. Advanced course syllabi are available at the links below.
SYLLABUS Advanced PSU 2024
SYLLABUS Advanced Neuro PSU 2023
SYLLABUS Advanced Neuro PSU 2022
SYLLABUS Advanced Neuro PSU 2021
SYLLABUS Advanced Neuro PSU 2021
SYLLABUS Advanced Neuro PSU 2020
SYLLABUS Advanced Neuro PSU 2019
SYLLABUS Advanced Neuro PSU 2018
SYLLABUS Advanced Neuro PSU 2017
SYLLABUS Advanced Neuro PSU 2016
SYLLABUS Advanced Neuro PSU 2015
Perception (PSY 347) is also offered in winter term.
SYL Perception WIN24
SYL Perception Win23
SYL Perception PSU Win22
SYL Perception PSU Win21
So is Introduction to Psychology (PSY 201Z).
SPRING TERM
In winter term, students may continue their study of neuroscience by enrolling in Perception (PSY 347) and Psychopharmacology (PSY 450) (and sometimes PSY 451).
SYL_Psychopharmacology_Spr24
SYL Intro Physio PSU Spr_24
SYL Perception Spr23
SYL Perception PSU Spr22
SYL Perception PSU Spr21
SYL_Psychopharmacology_Spr23
SYL_PSU_Psychopharmacology_Spr22
SYL_PSU_Psychopharmacology_Spr21
In summer 2025 and 2023 we offered an interdisciplinary neuroscience course in Chile!
NEW PROGRAM COMING IN JUNE/JULY 2027!
Memoria, Arte y Cerebros en Chile!
NW Noggin is very active in the community all year, and if you’d like to participate, please contact our Resource Council Member for Communications Aaron Eisen (aaeisen.pdx@gmail.com) and professors Bill Griesar (griesar@pdx.edu) & Jeff Leake (jleake@pdx.edu) to confirm that you are on our list for upcoming events.
Thank you for your enthusiasm & Cheers!
PSU is located in the traditional homelands of the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Watlala Bands of Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other indigenous nations who made their homes along the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
FOR ALL OUTREACH PARTICIPANTS:
We are committed to creating and fostering a learning and working environment based on open communication and mutual respect. We have an extraordinarily diverse K-12 student population, and a diverse community of teachers as well. We expect volunteers to be respectful and welcoming of difference, including differences involving race, color, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, veteran or military status, sex, marital status, pregnancy or parenting status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. Inappropriate behavior is unacceptable, and will result in removal from NW Noggin activities.
Please help everyone feel valued as full, respected participants in our teaching and learning communities – this is key to successful outreach.
Additional opportunities
PSU students have engaged in extended collaborative NW Noggin outreach activities by enrolling in a specific course, Neuroscience Outreach (PSY 410). This course is only offered during some summer sessions (but you can join arts-integrated neuroscience outreach year round)…
For example, in summer 2015, PSU students developed middle school programs in Portland Public Schools, at the Boys & Girls Club in Vancouver and for MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) in Vancouver and Evergreen Public Schools.
Sample summer course syllabus:
SYLLABUS Outreach class 2015
When this course is offered at PSU, you will need permission to enroll (email Bill Griesar at griesar@pdx.edu to request this). This is primarily to confirm unique dates/times for summer outreach. When offered, this course may serve as a qualifying capstone experience for “Story, Video and Civic Action” or “Effective Change Agent.”
