How to visit public schools

On two gorgeously colorful, drizzly fall mornings we gathered at one of our favorite Portland Public Schools. While some people (many from outside Portland) chose to disrupt this week’s PPS board meeting by melodramatically pulling off their masks and shouting “freedom,” we arrived fully vaccinated at Sunnyside Environmental School with…

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Threshold through TRIO

What is TRIO? The federal TRIO Programs reach out and support individuals who are not currently overrepresented in higher education. Upward Bound, Talent Search and Student Support Services were the original “trio,” founded in the 1960s – but they’ve been joined by Educational Opportunity Centers, the Ronald E. McNair Scholarships…

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Viking, Shark, Fishermen & Bandit Brains!

“Amazing the things you find when you bother to search for them.” ― Sacagawea We’re approaching a full decade of volunteer outreach amidst a landscape of extensive public “STEM Hub” investments, well-funded institutional outreach positions, paywalled conferences and museum exhibitions aimed at communicating science. But we’re pretty excited about the…

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Faces at p:ear!

We kicked off fall term with a return to p:ear, a remarkable Portland nonprofit aimed at building positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth through education, art and recreation. NW Noggin has collaborated with p:ear for SEVEN years (!), and we were honored to serve as their Community Partner of…

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Gresham Cool

Last week’s brain-baking temperatures gave way to a more traditional Oregon summer day – a few clouds, “sunbreaks” and some welcome morning cool. Our use of fossil fuels changes climate, and the data could not be more clear. Thankfully the latest IPCC report also identified steps we can take, crucial…

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Hillsboro Heat

As temps soared to triple digits in our formerly mild Pacific Northwest, a network of undergraduates, graduate students, neuroscientists and artists arrived in Hillsboro, Oregon to talk brains and make art. LEARN MORE: The Pacific Northwest Is Getting Hit By Another Heat Wave LEARN MORE: Climate change widespread, rapid, and…

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Cross-Country Noggins!

What a year! We pioneered both online and hybrid outreach models, traveled the globe (virtually!) with our noteworthy noggins and cerebral art, taught close to 1000 engaged and accomplished undergraduates and helped launch a brand new Interdisciplinary Neuroscience minor at Portland State University! LEARN MORE: STEAM Ahead: A new interdisciplinary…

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STEAM Ahead: A new interdisciplinary neuroscience minor at Portland State!

By Alisha Steigerwald, 2020-21 Neuroscience Club President, Portland State University One thing is certain – neuroscience rocks! That is definitely how students at Portland State University feel. LEARN MORE: Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Minor at Portland State University PSU students have a long-standing passion for brains and have sought many opportunities to enrich…

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Hosford, Hippocampi & Hope

“I dwell in possibility.” – Emily Dickinson We remember this! It’s been over a year since we evacuated campus, struggled with ring lights and camera cords and converted all our live, in person interdisciplinary neuroscience courses to an online format. Only days before closure, we were holding noggins in crowded…

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