NW NOGGIN: Neuroscience outreach group (growing in networks)

Noggin Keynote: AI and the Brain
2026-09-16 - 2026-09-18 | OR
WHAT: “Your brain learns what your brain does” – presentation and workshop by Bill Griesar and Jeff Leake of Northwest Noggin at the Rural Community College Alliance Conference.
WHERE: Senatobia, Mississippi – more details on the way!
WHEN: Wednesday, September 16 – Friday, September 18, 2026; workshop to kick off the conference scheduled for Wednesday (9/16), Time TBD

Artificial intelligence (AI) is ubiquitous, and people now use Large Language Models (LLMs) every day. Sometimes we use AI intentionally (for example, we might type a specific request for a cover letter into ChatGPT) and in many cases we use it unintentionally (e.g., we read an “AI summary” of a Google or DuckDuckGo search). AI uses algorithms to seek patterns in huge amounts of data, and uses these patterns to make predictions. There are situations where this technology is helpful, and we’ll discover some fascinating applications. Our brains, in contrast, learn from lived experience, forming predictive networks through trial and error. These experiences are critical, because brains learn what brains do, so if you use Claude or ChatGPT to write a paper, or complete any other assignment, your brain does not learn anything more than how to format an effective query. AI removes human engagement, and the useful mistakes and often challenging journeys we make to acquire skills and create knowledge. It also relies on stolen work from the brains of others, and is remarkably costly for the economy and environment. We’ll explore neuroscience research on the consequences for brain health and demonstrate the benefits of making something ourselves.
Bring your own creativity, enthusiasm and brains!

The theme of this year’s conference is “The New Workforce: Accelerating Productivity for the Future.” Much of the discussion will focus on how AI may reshape the way work is done moving forward.
DRAFT SLIDES (*.pdf): NW Noggin_AI_and_Brain_5_2026
DRAFT SLIDES (*.ppt): NW Noggin_AI_and_Brain_5_2026
STAY TUNED: More details on the way!

Noggins @ Sunnyside!
2026-10-08 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Sunnyside Environmental School, 3421 SE Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97214, United States
WHAT: NW Noggin @ Sunnyside Environmental School
WHERE: Sunnyside Environmental School, 3421 SE Salmon St, Portland, OR 97214
WHEN: Thursday, October 8, 9:30am – noon!
Contacts: Asa Gervich & Jeremy Thomas, 4th Grade Teachers, Sunnyside School

We are thrilled to return to Jeremy and Asa’s lively classrooms this fall!

JOIN US!
Please contact griesar@pdx.edu and jleake@pdx.edu for to get involved
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, PSU/OHSU/NW Noggin
2. Jeff Leake, PSU/NW Noggin
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See what we’ve done before!
Do salmon laugh?

Without my amygdala, would I get scared?

Learning through mistakes!

How to visit public schools

Thank You Northwest Noggin!

Neurons in Minecraft & More!

A crayon in Homer’s brain

What about the glia?

Beatles and the Brain!
2026-10-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Portland Youth Philharmonic, 1820 NE 21st Ave, Portland, OR, 97212, United States
WHAT: Beatles and the Brain!
WHERE: Portland Youth Philharmonic, 1820 NE 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97212
WHEN: Friday, October 9, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

CONTACT: David Hattner, Musical Director, Portland Youth Philharmonic
More details on the way!

Check out what we did last time in 2022!
Brains, The Beatles, Television & Art

COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin, PSU, OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin, PSU
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Noggins @ Kellogg!
2026-10-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Kellogg Middle School, 3400 SE 69th Ave, Portland, OR, 97206, United States
WHAT: Noggins @ Kellogg Middle School!
WHERE: Kellogg Middle School, 3400 SE 69th Ave, Portland, OR 97206
WHEN: Thursday, October 15th, 2026, 9:00am – noon
CONTACT: Brandan McClain, Social Sciences/Language Arts Teacher, Kellogg Middle School

Our first visit to Kellogg, home of the Cougars!

We’ll explore noggins, make art, and discuss student questions about brain research!

Please join us! Email griesar@pdx.edu and jleake@pdx.edu to learn more.
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
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Noggins on the North Coast!
2026-10-20 - 2026-10-22 | Astoria, Oregon, Astoria, OR, 97103, United States
WHAT: Outreach collaboration with TRIO in Astoria area public schools
LEARN MORE ABOUT TRIO: Threshold through TRIO
WHERE: Complimentary housing at The Y Astoria, 514 12th Street, Astoria, OR, 97103
WHEN: Tuesday, October 20 – Thursday, October 22, 2026 (REQUIRED: ARRIVAL TUESDAY; OUTREACH VISITS WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY 8:00am – 3:00pm)
CONTACT: Lacey Guest, TRIO Program Coordinator

LIMITED OPPORTUNITY: Housing and meals provided.
Noggin volunteers will spend three days visiting public schools with brains and art in Clatsop County this February, with time to enjoy the dramatic North Coast of Oregon. Participants will stay at the beautiful Y in the heart of historic Astoria, Oregon, and enjoy meals from local breweries and restaurants!
LEARN MORE: Threshold through TRIO
COMMITTED VOLUNTEERS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
3. Emma Jerome, OHSU
4. Noah Milman, OHSU
5. Julie Bryant, PSU
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See what we’ve done in Clatsop County before!
Brain Cells Dance

Pre-K, Fish and Logger Lobes!

Signal from Noise on the Oregon Coast

Viking, Shark, Fishermen & Bandit Brains!

Clatsop Community Cortex

North Coast Noggins: Art, Alevins & Brains!

Accumbens in Astoria

Noggins @ Portland's King Elementary!
2026-10-27 08:00 - 14:30 | Martin Luther King School Portland, 4906 NE 6th Ave, Portland, OR, 97211, United States
WHAT: Noggin visit with K-5 students in Portland Public Schools!
WHERE: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, 4906 NE 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
WHEN: TUESDAY, October 27 , 2025, 8:00am – 2:45pm
There will be COFFEE, DONUTS and PIZZA provided by the school!!
CONTACT: Teresa Seidel, Principal, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School

“At Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School, we believe in the unlimited potential of everyone in our diverse community. We believe that a caring well-balanced student will be motivated to become a global citizen who is inspired to take action.”

Noggin volunteers are excited to hear from K-5 students at this Northeast Portland public school in October! We’ll bring some extra noggins for exploring student questions and interests, and make more pipe cleaner brain cells too.

Please join us! Email griesar@pdx.edu and jleake@pdx.edu to learn more.
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
3. Terra Andrews, PSU
4. Heather Haynie, PSU
5. Julie Bryant, PSU
6. Hunter Jess, PSU
7. Nancy Reyes Bolanos, PSU
8. Diane Aziagba, PSU
9. Jenny Davila Del Real, PSU
10. Noah Milman, OHSU
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See what we’ve done at King in the past!
Noggin @ King Elementary PDX!

A Hippocampal Halloween

King Cortex!

Noggins @ Jeff!
2026-11-06 08:00 - 12:00 | Jefferson High School
WHAT: Noggins @ Jefferson High School
WHERE: Jefferson High School, 5210 N Kerby St., Portland, OR 97217
WHEN: Friday, November 6th, 2026 from 8:00am – noon
CONTACT: Olive Altieri, Biology & Anatomy Teacher, Jefferson High School

We’re excited to return to Jeff this fall for more brains and art!

Please join us! Email griesar@pdx.edu and jleake@pdx.edu to learn more.
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
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Noggin @ Leodis V. McDaniel High School
2026-11-13 08:30 - 12:00 | Leodis V. McDaniel High School, 2735 NE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR, 97220, United States
WHAT: Noggin visit with students at Leodis V. McDaniel High School
WHERE: Leodis V. McDaniel High School, 2735 NE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97220
WHEN: Friday, November 13, 2026, 8:30am – noon

Contact: Darshanpreet Gill, Biomedical Science Teacher
Please head to the school office upon arrival to check in.
We’ll meet with 10th, 11th & 12th grade students at this Portland Public school!
See what we did before at Leodis McDaniel
Missing limbs at McDaniel

Your Inner Worm Bin

COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, PSU/OHSU/NW Noggin
2. Jeff Leake, PSU/NW Noggin
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Noggin @ Clackamas Education Service District!
2027-01-19 08:30 - 12:00 | Clackamas Education Service District, 13455 SE 97th Ave, Clackamas, OR, 97015, United States
WHAT: Noggin visit with educators at Clackamas Education Service District
WHERE: Clackamas Education Service District, 13455 SE 97th Ave, Clackamas, OR 97015
WHEN: Tuesday, January 19th, 8:30am – noon (breakfast and lunch included!)
CONTACT: Charlotte Gant, Early Literacy Specialist, Teaching and Learning, Clackamas ESD

An opportunity to meet with K-12 educators in Clackamas County to talk about learning and our brains, while demonstrating how community engagement, neuroscience research, noggins and art making benefit us all!

COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
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