NW NOGGIN: Neuroscience outreach group (growing in networks)

Noggins in Gaza!
2025-04-21 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
WHAT: Virtual Noggin + NeuroChem Lab visit with students in the Gaza Strip
We did it!!
Noggins in Gaza

Terrific and powerful questions
1. If someone with Alzheimers remembers something, does the memory come back?
2. What happens if we get hit on the back of the head, and you lose our memory?
3. How much time does your brain live after you die?
4. Is your mental and physical health equally important when trying to keep your brain healthy?
5. When we are experiencing intense stress and violence in our lives, is there anything we can do at an individual level to help protect and support our brain?
6. Can the brain continue to learn and develop throughout life?
7. Regarding brain diseases (cognitive decline), are people aware that they have lost something, or do they not know?
8. Do your brain cells work when you sleep?
9. If you are in a coma: do you feel anything around you? What happens when you wake up?

WHERE: British International School, 9835+VGG, Aldahdooh Street, Tel Al Hawa, Gaza Strip VIA ZOOM (link available to participating volunteers)
WHEN: Monday, April 21st from 8:00am – 9:30am Pacific (6:00 – 7:30pm in Gaza); this is a follow up after our previous virtual visits on Thursday, February 13 and Tuesday, March 4.

During our first two visits to BIS, we discussed compelling student questions about the brain, and introduced our found object brain cell project. We also shared some cells created by our Northwest Noggin volunteers.
Noggins in Gaza

LEARN MORE: Found Object Brain Cells
For this next visit the youth in Gaza will share their own brain cell creations, and we’ll learn about the objects used, and the significance and stories behind the objects chosen.

We are super excited to meet and learn with these wonderful young people again.

COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, PSU/OHSU/NW Noggin
2. Jeff Leake, PSU/NW Noggin
3. Natalie Robison, UW
4. Salma Nassar, PSU/OHSU
5. Becky Callos, PSU
6. Hailey Larson, PSU
7. Austin Schubert, OHSU
8. Maryfer Ortiz, PSU
9. Kadi Rae Smith, PSU
10. Jennifer Logan, PSU
11. Cody Walker, PSU

Noggin @ Hudson's Bay!
2025-04-22 08:15 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Hudson’s Bay High School, 3528, 1601 E McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver, WA, 98663, United States
WHAT: Noggin visit with students at Hudson’s Bay High School!
We did it!

1) Isn’t your brain supposed to be pink? Is everyone’s pink? Why are these brains grey?
2) Where did you get these brains?
3) Why are some veins blue?
4) What inspired you all to be a part of this project?
5) What happens to your brain when you go through withdrawals?
6) How do you know if you’re developing a brain tumor?
7) Are there microorganisms in your brain? (Like the gut micro biome?)
8) How does schizophrenia affect the brain?
Is there a way to produce less dopamine to treat schizophrenia?
9) Without dopamine, do people get depressed?
10) Do all women develop post partum depression? How does that affect the brain?

WHERE: Hudson’s Bay High School, 3528, 1601 E McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663
WHEN: Tuesday, April 22, 8:15am – noon
CONTACT: Steven Jones, Biology/AVID Teacher, Hudson’s Bay High School

Our first visit to this Vancouver Public School!
COME JOIN US!
Please email griesar@pdx.edu and jleake@pdx.edu to get involved 🙂
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
3. Janani Romero, PSU
4. Becky Callos, PSU
5. Cassidy Rickel, PSU
6. Cody Walker, PSU
7. Joe McKinney, PSU
8. Elizabeth Gomez, PSU
9. Hailey Larson, PSU
10. Jennifer Logan, PSU
11. Jalen Marcil, PSU
12. Maryfer Ortiz, PSU
13. Camden Love, PSU

Noggins @ New Year in the Park!
2025-04-26 08:30 - 14:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Glenhaven Park, 7900 NE Siskiyou St, Portland, OR, 97213, United States
WHAT: Noggin brains and art @ New Year in the Park 2025!
We did it!!

Hello Bill and Jeff,
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to you and your WONDERFUL team for taking time out of your busy schedules to join us for the 2025 New Year In The Park festival! It sounds like your booth was a big hit – engaging, fun, and enjoyed by many!! Thank you as well for the fantastic photos!
We hope to see you all again in 2026 (April 25th😊)!!
Kind regards, Koy Saechao, NYP TRI-CHAIR
New Year in the Park Planning Committee

WHERE: Glenhaven Park, 7900 NE Siskiyou St, Portland, OR 97213; BOOTH 53
WHEN: Saturday, April 26, 8:30am (for set up) – 2:30pm!
CONTACT: Koy Saechao, New Year in the Park Planning Committee

Join us in celebrating one of the largest and most important cultural festivals in several Southeast Asian countries, right here in Portland, Oregon! Attendance is free and all ages are welcome!

New Year in the Park will showcase cultural dance and music performances, traditional games, cultural crafts and activities, and vendor booths with food and merchandise. The purpose of our cultural event is to highlight vibrant Southeast Asian communities in the greater Portland area.
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Becky Callos, PSU
3. Jalen Marcil, PSU
4. Joe McKinney, PSU
5. Elizabeth Gomez, PSU
6. Jennifer Logan, PSU
7. Madeleine Limon, PSU
8. Owen Wogmon, Brown University
9. Emmali Luangrath, PSU
10. Jasmine Loeung, OHSU/PSU
11. Gabe Guarin, PSU
12. Liam Hosse McKenna, PSU
13. Maryfer Ortiz, PSU

Noggin @ MacLaren!
2025-05-09 13:30 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, 2630 N Pacific Hwy, Woodburn, 97071, United States
WHAT: Noggin visit to MacClaren Youth Correctional Facility
We did it!!

WHERE: MacClaren Youth Correctional Facility, 2630 N Pacific Highway, Woodburn, OR 97071; go first to the Gatehouse to check in.
WHEN: FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2024, 1:30 – 5:00pm
1:30-2:00pm – Check in Gatehouse/ Set UP
2:30-3:30 – Pooch Noggin
3:30- 4:00 – Lunch Provided (Subway)
4:00-5:00 – Unit Presentation Noggin/AMP
***IMPORTANT: PLEASE ARRIVE AT 1:30pm!! ***NO cellphones/cameras allowed.
Contact: Vanessa Bucio Chavez, Project Coordinator, HOPE Partnership

“Because the brain is undergoing such rapid, fundamental changes at this stage of life, adolescents have a heightened capacity to learn and to [grow] out of risky behavior. Given an environment and supports appropriate to their developmental stage, most young offenders have the potential to become law-abiding adults.”
— The MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Law and Neuroscience
We are excited to return to MacLaren, and meet with more young people curious about the brain, and the policy implications of neuroscience research on adolescent development, bias, trauma, drugs, and mental health regarding education, healthcare, criminal justice and the law.

We are VERY pumped to collaborate on this visit with the Artist Mentorship Program, an incredible nonprofit that for three decades has worked to empower young individuals, many without access to safe and secure housing, through music, mentorship and art. We’re also thrilled to reconnect with Project Pooch, an inspiring program that teaches dog training and rehabilitation to MacLaren youth!
Learn more about NW Noggin at MacLaren at these links:
Listening at MacLaren

Brains Love Animals

Myelinating @ MacLaren!

All is in motion, is growing, is you

LEARN MORE: Youth get visual, hands-on experience with the brain
Corrections, Bias & Brains

COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
(LIMITED OPPORTUNITY) (FULL)
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Will Kendall. Artist Mentorship Program
3. Janani Romero, PSU
4. Watson Kendall, Artist Mentorship Program
5. Sarah Vaillancourt, Artist Mentorship Program
6. Justin Thompson, Artist Mentorship Program
7. Cassidy Rickel, PSU
8. Jalen Marcil, PSU
9. Cody Walker, PSU
10. Joseph McKinney, PSU

Noggin @ SW Oregon Economic Summit
2025-05-14 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Seven Feathers Casino Resort, 146 Chief Miwaleta Ln, Canyonville, OR, 97417, United States
WHAT: Noggin presents @ SW Oregon Economic Summit
We did it!!

WHERE: Seven Feathers Casino Resort, 146 Chief Miwaleta Ln, Canyonville, OR 97417
WHEN: Wednesday, May 14, 10:00am – noon

NW NOGGIN PRESENTS: Brains, art and economic development – and the value of changing social and brain networks through going places, art making and listening to and including youth.

The Umpqua Economic Development Partnership is partnering with business leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders from Douglas, Coos, Curry, Jackson, and Josephine Counties to address critical economic challenges and the opportunities that exist as we look into the future. The Southwestern Oregon Economic Summit spans three days of tours, panels, speakers, inventive activities, and networking with the goal of providing leadership, direction, and knowledge for what is next for Southwestern Oregon.
The Summit begins with tours in three counties on May 13, 2025. The tours offer exclusive behind-the-scenes access to transformative sites in Coos, Douglas, and Josephine Counties, followed by a dynamic two-day conference May 14 and 15 at Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville, Oregon. Attendees will include decision-makers and thought leaders eager to engage with organizations committed to shaping the future of our region all with an eye on “Preparing Southwestern Oregon’s Economy for the Future.”

COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
3. Sydney Watson, PSU; Check out Sydney’s post: To Bounce Or Not To Bounce
4. Willow Coughlan, PSU; Check out Willow’s post: Is There Room Enough?

SLIDES (*.ppt):
SLIDES (*.pdf): SW OR Econ Summit MAY 2025

Noggin @ David Douglas!
2025-05-30 09:00 - 14:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | David Douglas High School, 1001 SE 135th Ave, Portland, OR, 97233, United States
WHAT: Visit to Psychology classrooms at David Douglas High School
We did it!

1. Why are yawns contagious?
2. Do animals with less social tendencies have similar mirror neurons as animals who are more social?
3. What causes deja vu in the brain?
4. Do identical twins have similar brain anatomy?
5. Do different animals have different colored brains?
6. Crows and their draw to shiny things to adorn their nests. What is it that makes us drawn to different things to adorn our spaces? Why are we drawn to certain styles more than others?
7. What is the difference between western psychology and Japanese psychology?
8. What is the connection between memory and sleep?
9. Why are western thinkers from universities so often emphasized when, for example, there were incredible scientists from Persia over 1000 years ago (for example: How Islam changed medicine)
10. What is color psychology? How is it researched?
11. How would one describe color to a blind person (born without sight)? Does color psychology still apply?
12. What colors make you feel more happy?
13. What is the most challenging aspect of reintegrating a formerly incarcerated person to mainstream society? What are the barriers?
14. What made you major in psychology?
15. Regarding the science of mental health and nature…how do they relate?
16. What is your favorite part of the brain?

WHERE: David Douglas High School, South Building Board Room, 1500 SE 130th, Portland, OR 97233; Please park in the lot off 130th; enter the doors that face 130th. The secretary will buzz people in and direct them to the board room.
WHEN: FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025, 9:00am – 2:30pm
Contact: Heather Murdock, Social Studies/Psychology Teacher, David Douglas High School

We are excited – even depolarized! – to return to classrooms at David Douglas to discuss neuroscience research, examine brains and make art!
COME JOIN US!
Please contact griesar@pdx.edu and jleake@pdx.edu to learn more.
COMMITTED VOLUNTEERS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Janani Romero, PSU
3. Becky Callos, PSU
4. Jalen Marcil, PSU
5. Cody Walker, PSU
6. Joe McKinney, PSU
7. Elizabeth Gomez, PSU
8. Jennifer Logan, PSU
9. Maryfer Ortiz, PSU
10. Luis Carillo, PSU
11. Madeleine Limon, PSU
12. Jasmine Loeung, OHSU/PSU
13. Debra Wilde, PSU
14. Cass Rickel, PSU
15. Betty Canoso, PSU
16. Courtney Paden, PSU
17. Nyah Hawley, PSU
18. Annie O’Neill, PSU
See what we’ve done before @ David Douglas!
Noggin @ David Douglas High!

Thank you for letting us touch your brains

Inspiration & Education!

Everything but guns

Noggins in the UK!
2025-06-20 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | Kennaway House, Coburg Road, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 8NG, United Kingdom
WHAT: “What’s in your noggin? Cells, art and stories of your brain!” @ Café Scientifique
We did it!!

WHERE: Kennaway House (Cellar Bar), Coburg Road Sidmouth EX10 8NG, England
WHEN: Friday, June 20, 10:00am – noon GMT

Northwest Noggin crafts beautiful brain cells from pipe-cleaners and found objects and engage a range of visual arts to explore the brain and its function.

LEARN MORE: Northwest Noggin art and brain outreach
LEARN MORE: Northwest Noggin neuroscience art projects
LEARN MORE: Reconnecting Our Brains, One Cell at a Time
LEARN MORE: Lobes in LONDON
Please join Dr. Bill Griesar and artist Jeff Leake from Portland State University’s Interdisciplinary Neuroscience minor program for a “knowing through making” event!

Build your own brain cells while exploring what they do and the fascinating history of their discovery based on the book “The Story of the Brain in 10 1/2 cells” by King’s College London neuroscientist Dr. Richard Wingate.

MORE FOUND OBJECT BRAIN CELLS!
PRINT SLIDES!

SLIDES (*.ppt): Sidmouth Science 2025
SLIDES (*.pdf): Sidmouth Science 2025

Noggins @ Sunnyside!
2025-10-09 13:00 - 15:15 (America/Los_Angeles) | Sunnyside Environmental School, 3421 SE Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97214, United States
WHAT: NW Noggin @ Sunnyside Environmental School
We did it!

“Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. My kids immediately started talking to their parents about it at pick-up yesterday. You helped create learning and memories that will last a lifetime. Have a great weekend!” -Jeremy Thomas, 4th Grade Teacher, Sunnyside School

Why/How do we dream?
Why do we stay still when sleeping?
How does lucid dreaming happen?
Can neurons be different sizes?

Why does the brain exist?
How do we learn?
What do different part of the brain do?
Is the brain one of the most important body parts? Can we live without it?

WHERE: Sunnyside Environmental School, 3421 SE Salmon St, Portland, OR 97214
WHEN: Thursday, October 9, 1:00pm – 3:15pm!
Contacts: Asa Gervich & Jeremy Thomas, 4th Grade Teachers, Sunnyside School

We are thrilled to return to Jeremy and Asa’s lively classrooms this fall!
From 4th grade teacher Jeremy Thomas: “We’re looking forward to our time with you. The kids will have some background on the main parts of the brain, neurons, and neuroplasticity by the time you arrive. My class has been talking a lot about neuroplasticity and how we learn/get better at things. Asa and I also tossed around the idea of learning about how a sense of community/belonging supports our brain health (we’ve had a big focus on community and pro-social skills this year ;)”
Attached is a list of ideas and questions about the brain from my class (sorry, you might have to zoom in):

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
3. Vivi Sierra, PSU
4. Allison Ellingson, OHSU
5. Ana Borders, PSU
6. Jessica Vilaysanh, PSU
7. Ginger Lee Owens, PSU
8. Hana Haley, PSU
9. Emma Jerome, OHSU
10. Becky Callos, PSU
11. Dasha Gernega, PSU
12. Jasmine Win, PSU

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?

Noggin @ Grant!
2025-10-16 08:00 - 12:20 (America/Los_Angeles) | Grant High School, 2245 NE 36th Ave, Portland, OR, 97212, United States
WHAT: NW Noggin visit with students at Grant High School
We did it!

WHERE: Grant High School, 2245 NE 36th Ave, Portland, OR 97212
WHEN: Thursday, October 16, 8:00am – 12:20pm
CONTACTS: Keina N. Ga, Red Cross Club @ Grant; Ms. Sorcinelli, Anatomy and Physiology; Mr. Burmester, Biomedical Sciences/Medical Interventions/Red Cross Club Advisor.

Our first visit to the Portland Public School!
We are excited – even depolarized! – to join classrooms at David Douglas to discuss neuroscience research, examine brains and make art!

What are you curious about when it comes to the brain or how it works?
like genuinely everything, but some more specific ones would be how memory works, why the brain sometimes does stuff that is actively bad for it, why the brain rationalizes bad ideas.
Information on the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, as well as on reaction time. Also the degradation of neural functioning with age.
I’m curious if the number of “bumps” on your brain really has to do with intelligence or knowledge.
I am curios on how the brain is formed and how our brains differ from others.
How our conscious minds differ from our unconscious minds.
How we learn things so that they become “muscle memory”
What makes people think differently than each other?
Why do humans have like the most complex thoughts.
I wonder how it works for different people.
How do the parts of the brain communicate
Just how each part does each thing
everything 😅
JOIN US! For more information please contact griesar@pdx.edu and jleake@pdx.edu :)
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, PSU/OHSU/NW Noggin
2. Jeff Leake, PSU/OHSU/NW Noggin
3. Kirby Kahl, PSU
4. Vivi Sierra, PSU
5. Ana Borders, PSU
6. Jessica Vilaysanh, PSU
7. Ginger Lee Owens, PSU
8. Calista Lattal, Grant High School
9. Matt Lattal, OHSU
10. Becky Callos, PSU
11. Dasha Gernega, PSU
12. Chelle Parks, PSU
13. Becky Martinez, PSU
14. Andi Licht, PSU
15. Gabe Guarin, PSU

Noggins in Knappa & Astoria!
2025-10-21 - 2025-10-23 | 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 21 – Thursday, October 23, 2025 (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!

TUESDAY, October 21
ARRIVAL IN ASTORIA

Wednesday, October 22
KNAPPA PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

Why do we dream?
Why do we lucid dream?
How do we receive information?
Why do have bad dreams?
Why do we Déjà vu?

Why is getting 9 hours of sleep important and what affects it?
Why do we experience anger if it’s not a constructive emotion?
What influences dreams?
How does the brain see?
How do nerves communicate with the brain?

How does paralysis work?
Does the brain function at all after the body dies?
What’s a common similarity between psychopaths and their brains?

MORE QUESTIONS FROM KNAPPA:
1. Why are brains wrinkly?
2. What is the function of anger?
3. Why do you study psychology?
4. How’s trauma/PTSD work?
5. Why can’t we consciously control body function?
6. Why/how do some people empathize and others don’t?
7. Why is the brain centralized?
8. Why do we experience deja vu?
9. What’s worst for my brain— phones or TV?
10. If the brain is so good at learning, why can’t I learn math?

DREAMS/SLEEP:
1. Why would I wake up from a dream crying?
2. Why would I wake up breathing heavily after falling in a dream?
3. Why don’t I dream at night?
4. Why is 9 hours of sleep important?
5. Why do we dream?
6. Why do we lucid dream?
7. How would someone who gets full night’s sleep function compared to someone who doesn’t?

THANK YOU students, teachers and staff at Knappa High School!

Thursday, October 23
ASTORIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

ASTORIA HIGH SCHOOL

Questions from Astoria High School:
GENERAL QUESTIONS:
1. What’s the most popular neuroscience research that’s done in your field? (Addiction research and visual system)
2. What’s the “Venn diagram” of psychology and neuroscience? How to look at behavior & complete story of behavioral neuroscience? Cognitive neuroscience? Biological psychology?
3. What does fresh brain smells like?
4. How does being trans work in the brain?
5. How does brain a aneurysm happen?
6. What’s the most important part of the brain? *hard to answer*
7. How does MS work in the brain?
8. How does one get brain cancer?
9. How does addiction work? .
DREAMS/SLEEP:
1. Sleep, modern era, light, screen usage, sunlight, melatonin overall questions.
2. How and why do we dream?

ASTORIA MIDDLE SCHOOL

THANK YOU students, teachers and staff at Astoria Public Schools!

LEARN MORE: Threshold through TRIO
COMMITTED VOLUNTEERS (FULL)
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
3. Hana Haley, PSU
4. Noah Milman, OHSU
5. Allison Ellingson, OHSU
6. Jessica Vilaysanh, PSU
7. Nyah Hawley, PSU
8. Maddy Wary, OHSU
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

Noggin @ King Elementary PDX!
2025-10-28 08:00 - 14:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School, 4906 NE 6th Ave, Portland, OR, 97211, United States
WHAT: Noggin visit with K-5 students in Portland Public Schools!
We did it!

Thank you students, teachers and staff @ MLK Elementary!!!
And thank you Northwest Noggin volunteers (all of us 💚)

Bill + Team,
Thank you so much! Your visit is an annual highlight.
Will you please come back again next year?!
From all of the kids and staff – we appreciate you!
Sincerely, Teresa Seidel, Principal
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School

– Is there something in the body that tells the brain about pain?
– What happens if something passes through your brain: does it still work?
– What happens to your brain when you die?
– How does smell work with the brain?
– Do zombies have brains?
– Why do they call it the brain?
– Why is the brain inside your head?

WHERE: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, 4906 NE 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
WHEN: TUESDAY, October 28 🎃, 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. Vivi Sierra, PSU
4. Ana Borders, PSU
5. Jessica Vilaysanh, PSU
6. Ginger Lee Owens, PSU
7. Hana Haley, PSU
8. Charlotte Gant, Clackamas Education Service District
9. Becky Callos, PSU
10. Dasha Gernega, PSU
11. Megan Peterson, PSU
12. Justin Benner, PSU
13. Gabe Guarin, PSU
14. Chuck Calderilla, PSU
15. E Mondragon-Torres, PSU
See what we’ve done at King in the past!
Noggin @ King Elementary PDX!

A Hippocampal Halloween

King Cortex!

Noggin @ p:ear!
2025-11-04 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | P:ear, 338 NW 6th Ave, Portland, OR, 97209, United States
WHAT: Noggin @ p:ear!
WHERE: p:ear, 338 NW 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97209
WHEN: Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 9:30am – noon
Contact: Kanani Miyamoto, Art Coordinator

NOTE: Noggin is visiting p:ear on November 4 and November 25
Noggin is returning to P:ear, a remarkable Portland nonprofit aimed at building positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth through education, art and recreation to affirm their personal worth and help them create more meaningful and healthier lives. We’ll be exploring art projects and research related to trauma resilience.

LEARN MORE: Noggin @ p:ear
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS (FULL)
1. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin, PSU
2. Vivi Sierra, PSU
3. Ana Borders, PSU
4. Jessica Vilaysanh, PSU
5. Ginger Lee Owens, PSU
6. Hana Haley, PSU
7. Dasha Gernega, PSU

Glia in Gaza 1
2025-11-11 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
WHAT: Virtual Noggin + NeuroChem Lab visit with students in the Gaza Strip
We did it!!!

THANK YOU STUDENTS AND ABDULRAHMAN for sharing your thoughtful (and fragrant!) presentations with such enthusiasm, curiosity, kindness and joy. Look forward to seeing your glia next month & cheers!
WHERE: British International School, 9835+VGG, Aldahdooh Street, Tel Al Hawa, Gaza Strip VIA ZOOM (link available to participating volunteers)
WHEN: Tuesday, November 11 from 8:00 – 9:30am Pacific (6:00 – 7:30pm in Gaza). This is the first of two planned visits. The second visit will be Friday, December 5, 8:00 – 9:30am.

We are VERY excited to return to the British International School in Gaza (BIS Gaza) this fall, and once again explore questions and make art with young people similarly fascinated by the brain! Abdulrahman Abou Dahesh (عبدالرّحمن أبو داهش), a Fulbright Scholar and neuroscience masters graduate from the University of Texas at Dallas, founded a project known as NeuroChem Lab, which has provided popular neuroscience programs for elementary and middle school students at BIS Gaza.

In spring students created their own found object neurons, which you can enjoy at this post!
Noggins in Gaza

LEARN MORE: Found Object Brain Cells
This fall we’re considering a found object project focusing on GLIA!

LEARN MORE: FOUND OBJECT GLIA PROJECT
LEARN MORE: What about the glia?
We met extraordinary BIS students through Zoom last spring, during an accelerating genocide perpetrated by the Israeli government with weaponry financed by the United States. The BIS school building was destroyed by Israeli bombs, and several children lost their lives. Israeli attacks on the people of Gaza continue, so while some students may join us again from the strip, several more now live in refugee camps in Egypt.
We are thrilled to celebrate curiosity and a shared love of learning across time zones and cultures, and fervently hope that everyone stays safe.

Destruction – Gaza, by Motaz Naim, at the Gaza Biennale 2025
LEARN MORE: Definitions of Genocide and Related Crimes
LEARN MORE: Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, UN Commission finds
LEARN MORE: Leading genocide scholars organization says Israel is committing genocide in Gaza
LEARN MORE: Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza
LEARN MORE: US has ‘undeniable complicity’ in Gaza war killings, say former US officials
Interested in joining outreach this fall? Please contact jleake@pdx.edu and griesar@pdx.edu to learn more.
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, PSU/OHSU/NW Noggin
2. Jeff Leake, PSU/NW Noggin
3. Jennifer Logan, PSU
4. Becky Callos, PSU
5. Kadi Rae Smith. PSU
6. Cece Austin, PSU
7. Salma Nassar, PSU
8. Maryfer Ortiz, PSU
9. Natalie P Robison, University of Washington
10. Austin Schubert, OHSU
11. E Mondragon-Torres, PSU
12. Megan Peterson, PSU
13. Hana Haley, PSU
14. Nyah Hawley, PSU
Synapsing with Gaza through neuroscience, stories and art
We’ll ALSO introduce our collaborative outreach in Gaza at the Society for Neuroscience conference this fall. We were excited to present along with our accomplished co-author Abdulrahman; however, current U.S. federal officials have barred anyone with a Palestinian passport from traveling to the United States. SfN also censored our abstract. If you happen to be at the conference in San Diego this November, please stop by to learn more.

LEARN MORE: Noggin @ Schools & SfN in San Diego!

Noggin @ Schools & SfN in San Diego!
2025-11-15 - 2025-11-19 | San Diego Convention Center, 111 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA, 92101, United States
WHAT: Noggin POSTERS @ SfN 2025 & OUTREACH in San Diego Public Schools
We did it!!!

**** Despite SfN censorship: LEARN MORE at the link!
“Buildings mysteriously collapse” at SfN

WHERE: San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101; San Diego Public Schools
WHEN: Saturday, November 15 – Wednesday, November 19, 2025

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Conference attendance!
BRAIN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN EVENT
2:30pm – 4:00pm, San Diego Convention Center (SDCC), Product Theater #1 near aisle 1200
POSTER #1: Synapsing with Gaza through neuroscience, stories and art

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16
THEME K POSTER PRESENTATIONS
9:00am – 10:00am, San Diego Convention Center (SDCC), Halls B-H
Session Type: Theme K Poster, Session Number: TKP06, Session Title: Outreach Activities
POSTER 2: #3846 Synapsing with Gaza through neuroscience, stories and art; Poster XX9
** Our poster was accepted only after SfN censored two lines (learn more at our presentation 🤓)

INTERVIEW: NW NOGGIN + BRAINFACTS.ORG
2:00pm – 2:30pm, San Diego Convention Center
Bill Griesar and Jeff Leake, Northwest Noggin
BRAINFACTS CELEBRATION NIGHT
6:00pm – 9:00pm, Little Bird Brewing, 3176 Thorn St, San Diego, CA 92104
Screenshot

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17
OUTREACH IN SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOLS

“Thank you all for the love and learning shared with Webster today!”
– Roberto Corona, San Diego Unified School District

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Conference attendance!
From their website: “The Society for Neuroscience is the world’s largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to understanding the brain and nervous system.”

LEARN MORE: Noggin @ Society for Neuroscience
And given federal assaults on science, we feel it’s more important than ever to attend!
Once again we’ll cover 2000+ miles roundtrip to present on interdisciplinary neuroscience teaching, outreach and engagement at the annual Society for Neuroscience conference, and visit K-12 students in San Diego Unified Public Schools!

Outreach participants from the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Association at Portland State University will be there to share posters, enthusiasm and expertise in arts-integrated public engagement over the latest neuroscience research.

POSTER (NW NOGGIN + NEUROCHEMLAB)

DOWNLOAD PDF: Noggin_SfN25_poster
LEARN MORE: Noggins in Gaza
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
3. Kadi Rae Smith, PSU Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Association (INA)
4. Annabel Jensen, PSU/INA
5. Conner Corbett, OHSU
6. Allison Ellingson, OHSU
7. Denesa Lockwood, OHSU
8. Noah Milman, OHSU
9. Kimberly Lopez, Clackamas Community College
10. Dani Jang, PSU/INA
11. Cece Austin, PSU/INA
12. Sanket Patel, PSU/INA
13. Xavier Brown, PSU/INA
14. Joseph McKinney, PSU/USC
15. Eric Zepeda-Daniel, PSU/INA
16. Emma Jerome, OHSU
See what we’ve done at SfN in San Diego before!
Observing Art & Brains @ SfN

Brains Beyond SfN

Synapsing in San Diego @ SfN!

Cortical Connections in San Diego Schools!

Noggin @ p:ear!
2025-11-25 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | P:ear, 338 NW 6th Ave, Portland, OR, 97209, United States
WHAT: Noggin @ p:ear!
We did it!!

WHERE: p:ear, 338 NW 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97209
WHEN: Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 9:30am – noon
Contact: Kanani Miyamoto, Art Coordinator

NOTE: Noggin is visiting p:ear on November 4 and November 25
Noggin is returning to P:ear, a remarkable Portland nonprofit aimed at building positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth through education, art and recreation to affirm their personal worth and help them create more meaningful and healthier lives. We’ll be exploring art projects and research related to trauma resilience.

LEARN MORE: Noggin @ p:ear
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS (FULL)
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin, PSU, OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin, PSU
3. Vivi Sierra, PSU
4. Ana Borders, PSU
5. Jessica Vilaysanh, PSU
6. Ginger Lee Owens, PSU
7. Dasha Gernega, PSU

Glia in Gaza 2!
2025-12-05 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
WHAT: Virtual Noggin + NeuroChem Lab visit with students in the Gaza Strip
We did it!!

WHERE: British International School, 9835+VGG, Aldahdooh Street, Tel Al Hawa, Gaza Strip VIA ZOOM (link available to participating volunteers)
WHEN: Friday, December 5, from 8:00 – 9:30am Pacific (6:00 – 7:30pm in Gaza). This is the SECOND of two planned visits. The first visit was Tuesday, November 11 8:00 – 9:30am.

We are VERY excited to return to the British International School in Gaza (BIS Gaza) for a second time this fall, and again explore questions and make art with young people similarly fascinated by the brain! We’ve been working on a found object project focusing on GLIA, and area excited to see what the students share!

LEARN MORE: Found Object Brain Cells
LEARN MORE: What about the glia?
Interested in joining outreach this fall? Please contact jleake@pdx.edu and griesar@pdx.edu to learn more.
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, PSU/OHSU/NW Noggin
2. Jeff Leake, PSU/NW Noggin
3. Jennifer Logan, PSU
4. Becky Callos, PSU
5. Kadi Rae Smith. PSU
6. Cece Austin, PSU
7. Salma Nassar, PSU
8. Maryfer Ortiz, PSU
9. Natalie P Robison, University of Washington
10. Austin Schubert, OHSU
11. E Mondragon-Torres, PSU
12. Hana Haley, PSU
13. Nyah Hawley, PSU
14. Dasha Gernega, PSU
15. Cody Walker, PSU
We met extraordinary BIS students through Zoom last spring, during an accelerating genocide perpetrated by the Israeli government with weaponry financed by the United States. The BIS school building was destroyed by Israeli bombs, and several children lost their lives. Israeli attacks on the people of Gaza continue, so while some students may join us again from the strip, several more now live in refugee camps in Egypt.
We are thrilled to celebrate curiosity and a shared love of learning across time zones and cultures, and fervently hope that everyone stays safe.

Gaznica, by Firas Thabet, from the Gaza Biennale 2025
LEARN MORE: Definitions of Genocide and Related Crimes
LEARN MORE: Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, UN Commission finds
LEARN MORE: Leading genocide scholars organization says Israel is committing genocide in Gaza
LEARN MORE: Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza
LEARN MORE: US has ‘undeniable complicity’ in Gaza war killings, say former US officials
Synapsing with Gaza through neuroscience, stories and art
We’ll ALSO introduce our collaborative outreach in Gaza at the Society for Neuroscience conference this fall. We were excited to present along with our accomplished co-author Abdulrahman; however, current U.S. federal officials have barred anyone with a Palestinian passport from traveling to the United States. SfN also censored our abstract. If you happen to be at the conference in San Diego this November, please stop by to learn more.

LEARN MORE: Noggin @ Schools & SfN in San Diego!

Noggin @ Oregon City High
2026-01-16 08:15 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Oregon City High School, 19761 S Beavercreek Rd, Oregon City, OR, 97045, United States
WHAT: NW Noggin visit with high schoolers at Oregon City High School
We did it!

◦ What are lucid dreams?
◦ How to help ppl with PTSD (aside therapy)?
◦ What kind of therapy for phobias/PTSD/anxiety?
◦ How does intergenerational trauma develop?

◦ What is forensic psychology?
◦ What part of the brain is involved with addiction?
◦ How long did it take to get your PhD in behavioral neuroscience?
◦ What is the most interesting thing you have learned through your career?
◦ What made you want to be in this field of work?
◦ Why did you decide to go into neuroscience and psychology?

◦ How have your studies changed the way you see life?
◦ What is the most interesting part of your job?
◦ How does children’s psychology and adult psychology differ from each other?
◦ I want to be a Nurse Practitioner in children’s psychology and I was wondering what pointers or advice for someone wanting to enter the field of psych?
◦ How does AI do you think has helped with the research of new things?
◦ How did you decide you wanted to go into this field, and what schooling did you do?
◦ How does having a serious injury affect the mind of a person?

WHERE: Oregon City High School, 19761 S Beavercreek Rd, Oregon City, OR 97045
WHEN: Friday, January 16, 2026, 8:15am – 1:00pm (THERE WILL BE COFFEE 🙂
Contact: Kelsey Scully, Science Teacher, Oregon City High School

We’ll join high school students studying science and anatomy in multiple classes at Oregon City High School to talk brain research, make art, and consider questions!

Come join us! Please contact Bill Griesar (griesar@pdx.edu) and Jeff Leake (jleake@pdx.com) to get involved.
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
3. Becky Callos, PSU
4. Berlyn Bankhardt, PSU
5. Gabe Guarin, PSU
6. Danica Helms, PSU
7. Zulyed Guerra, PSU
8. Yehielis Medina Perez, PSU
9. Jasmine Loeung, PSU
10. Nyah Hawley, PSU
11. Bee Conn, PSU
12. Cece Austin, PSU
13. Alicia Bridges, PSU
14. Daisy Graham, Skidmore College
LEARN MORE: NW Noggin visiting CAP Classes
Did school kill my brain?

Noggin @ Columbia City Elementary
2026-01-22 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Columbia City Elementary School, 2000 2nd Street, Columbia City, OR, 97018, United States
WHAT: Noggin visit to Columbia City Elementary School (hour drive from Portland)
We did it!!!

– How fast can neurons communicate with the brain?
– What do you mean that neurons send electricity to talk with other cells in the body?
– How fast does a brain learn in one year?
– How is the brain made?
– What is the brain made of?
– How do you think in your brain?
– Does a person have to be dead to study their brain?
– Does psychology focus on the brain?
– Do you think we can harness brain energy to create infinite powers?
– What part of the brain has long term memory?
– What happens to your brain when you get a concussion?
– Why are all the ‘nerd words’ in Latin?

WHERE: Columbia City Elementary School, 2000 2nd Street, Columbia City, OR 97018
WHEN: Thursday, January 22, 9:00am – 2:00pm; Coffee, snacks and LUNCH provided!
CONTACT: Martine Barnett, Principal; lunch orders DUE by 1/19

Our first visit to the Home of the Otters!

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
3. Denesa Lockwood, OHSU/NW Noggin
4. Becky Callos, PSU
5. Berlyn Bankhardt, PSU
6. Danica Helms, PSU
7. Zulyed Guerra, PSU
8. Bee Conn, PSU
9.
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Noggin @ Fort Vancouver!
2026-01-29 08:30 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E 18th St, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
WHAT: Noggin outreach at Fort Vancouver!
We did it!!

What mediates neurodivergence? How do you get a diagnosis for ADHD and/or autism?
Would a limb introduced during prenatal development be recognized and correctly incorporated?
What part of the brain mediates the placebo effect?
How much electricity does the brain use/produce?
Who are the brain donors? Are their memories still present in the preserved brains?
Does everyone have a switch that can allow trauma to produce sociopathic behavior?
What is the surface area of the cortex/brain ‘unwrapped’?
Why are some people able to think of things and other people aren’t?
Who was Phineas Gage? Did he improve his personality by taking psychedelics?
Are you hungry? How does the brain know when you are hungry?
What part of the brain causes unwanted or intrusive thoughts?
What happens in the brain during dissociative states?

How do our brains work when we feel something sad or happy?
Where is memory stored in the brain?
Why is the brain split into the right and left?
What are the differences of the brain between men and women?l
How does memory work?
Is it true that every wrinkle is a piece of knowledge?
How are neurons formed?
What part of the brain sends the sexual needs a teenager has?
What happens when your frontal lobe isn’t fully developed?

Why does brain fog happen?
How do seizures happen?
Elaborate on neurodivergent and more specifically ADHD & AudHD?
Does the brain get affected by disorders?
Can depression be genetic?
What’s the easiest part of the brain to confuse?
Why does people get disorders?
Why is there a genetic predisposition for OCD?
What part of the brain does depression develop and other mental illnesses?
What causes someone to be a sociopath and are there people out there with a higher chance of becoming one?
What’s the craziest part of the brain?

Why do people smoke to relieve stress?
How does weed affect the brain?
How do drugs affect different parts of the brain?
How can all types of drugs affect us mentally?
Why are some of us easier to fall into a drinking or drug addict addiction since it runs in the family?
Does a drug still affect a mouse even after the drug is done?
Are addictions genetic?
How does someone’s brain look different if they had SUD?
What’s the worst drug to touch the brain?
What part of the brain is the most affected by drugs?
How do you know when you’re addicted?

How does one hour of sleep affect the brain?
How much sleep is too much sleep?
How can I sleep faster and better so I don’t wake up so tired?
How does our brain create dreams?
When we dream do we wake up before we fall because our brain doesn’t know what death looks like?
Why does my overthinking affect my sleeping patterns?
What does your brain do while you are sleeping?
How does sleeping affect our brain?

Have you ever dropped a brain?
How old are the brains?
How many brains have you studied?
How do you study each part of the brain?
What’s the worst experience you’ve had with the brain?

WHERE: Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E 18th St, Vancouver, WA 98661
WHEN: Thursday, January 29, 2026, 8:30am – 3:00pm

We are super-excited to return to Fort!
Two years ago Vancouver Public Schools changed their high school start times to a more reasonable 8:40am, based partly on neuroscience research presented in classrooms by Northwest Noggin outreach volunteers!

COME JOIN US!
Please email griesar@pdx.edu and jleake@pdx.edu to get involved 🙂
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
3. Becky Callos, PSU
4. Berlyn Bankhardt, PSU
5. Gabe Guarin, PSU
6. Danica Helms, PSU
7. Zulyed Guerra, PSU
8. Hayley Kopp, Evergreen State College
9. Daisy Graham, Skidmore College
10. Denesa Lockwood, OHSU
We’ve visited Coreyanne Russell and James Cederstrom’s 9th through 12th grade classrooms for TWELVE YEARS. More details are at the links!
Trapper Keeper!

Hey Vancouver: Let Kids Sleep!

Sleepy brains at Fort

Tired Trappers at Fort

Uploading your brain from Vancouver

Why do you study the brain?

Trap Squad!

Brains, biofeedback & SLEEP

Ventricles in Vancouver!

Noggins @ Parkrose!
2026-02-05 09:15 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Parkrose High School, 12003 NE Shaver Street, Portland, OR, 97220, United States
WHAT: NW Noggin at Parkrose High School
We did it!!

What percentage of the brain do we actually understand?
What happens in the brain when you lose memory?

How do brains develop – what makes them change as you grow up?
What causes deja vu? Why do I feel this is familiar but I also know it didn’t happen?
How long does it take you to make a really big pipe cleaner cell?
Why do our brains like memes so much?
How can people hurt people and not care? What’s happening in their brains to make them like that?

WHERE: Parkrose High School, 12003 NE Shaver St, Portland, OR 97220
WHEN: Thursday, February 5, 2026, 9:15am – 3:30pm
CONTACT: Katie Kehoe, Parkrose High School Teacher | Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, AVID
Our second visit to Parkrose! Some details from our first visit HERE.
Students will be starting a unit on mental health this same week.

The school is providing coffee, breakfast, lunch and art materials for day of art making, brain learning and fun.

JOIN US! Please email griesar@pdx.edu and jleake@pdx.edu to learn more.
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, PSU/OHSU/NW Noggin
2. Jeff Leake, PSU/NW Noggin
3. Pearl Ton, PSU
4. Becky Callos, PSU
5. Will Joseph, OHSU
6. Berlyn Bankhardt, PSU
7. Danica Helms, PSU
8. Zulyed Guerra, PSU
9. Bee Conn, PSU
10. Hayley Kopp, Evergreen State College
11. Daisy Graham, Skidmore College
12. Kirby Kahl, OHSU/PSU

Noggin @ Hosford
2026-02-10 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Hosford Middle School, 2303 SE 28th Pl, Portland, OR, 97214, United States
WHAT: Noggin at Hosford Middle School (Portland Public Schools)
We did it!!!

Why does the brain work the way it does?
Why is everyone else paralyzed when they sleep but not me?
What causes sleep talking?
How did NOGGIN get its name?
How does the hippocampus store memory?
How does ADHD effect memory?
How does the brain do things without thinking?
What is the brain made of?
What happened when you get a concussion?
Why do you have to stay awake with a concussion?
What does your brain do when it’s asleep?
Why do I have dreams sometimes but not others?
How do people lucid dream?

WHERE: Hosford Middle School, 2303 SE 28th Pl, Portland, OR 97214
WHEN: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 9:00am – 1:00pm; meet at the school office
CONTACTS: Jane VanDam, Science teacher; Kevin Marquardt, Science teacher

“Thanks again everyone. As always this was a wonderful experience. The students from past years were crazy excited when they found out you were in the building. You have a lasting impact.”
– Kevin Marquardt, Hosford Science, Portland Public Schools 💚

We love Hosford!!
Noggin volunteers from Portland State University, OHSU and other area campuses will meet with students in Kevin Marquardt and Jane VanDam’s 6th grade classrooms at Hosford, introducing them to neuroscience research and art projects related to understanding the brain.

Come join us! Please contact Bill Griesar (griesar@pdx.edu) and Jeff Leake (jleake@pdx.com) to get involved.
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
3. Becky Callos, PSU
4. Berlyn Bankhardt, PSU
5. Gabe Guarin, PSU
6. Danica Helms, PSU
7. Zulyed Guerra, PSU
8. Bee Conn, PSU
9. Daisy Graham, Skidmore College
See what we’ve done at Hosford before!
Your Invisible Sixth Sense

KGW did a story!
Getting kids excited about neuroscience

Hosford, Hippocampi & Hope

Brains examining brains

Honest selves @ Hosford

Brains, Art & Inquiry @ Hosford

High energy Hosford: Tumors, music & drugs!

Noggins @ Ron Russell!
2026-02-26 08:30 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Ron Russell Middle School, 3955 SE 112th Ave, Portland, OR, 97266, United States
WHAT: Noggin visit to Ron Russell Middle School
We did it!!

“Thank you all for inspiring our Ron Russell students! You may never know who you sparked today, but I am confident that you had more impact than can be measured :-)”
-Brennan Brockbank, Health & Science Coordinator, David Douglas School District

GREAT QUESTIONS!!
How do we dream?
What do brains smell like?
How are memories stored?
Why is it that when we visually perceive something it is actually upside down in our brain?
Why do you sleepwalk and sleep talk?
Why does the brain look like that?
Why can’t you remember when you were a baby?
What happens when you get a brain tumor?
Why do you lose brain cells as you get older?
Why do animals have brains?
If I hold that brain, will my brain change?
Where does the word brain come from?
What causes insomnia?
What causes sleep paralysis?
Why do we dream? Do we need to dream? What if I don’t dream?
What makes a brain with ADHD?
Where did you get the brains?
Why are we afraid of the dark?
Does your brain know it’s a brain?

WHERE: Ron Russell Middle School, 3955 SE 112th Ave, Portland, OR 97266
WHEN: Thursday, February 26, 2026, 8:30am – 3:00pm
Please check in at the school office. We’ll meet students in the commons area (cafeteria).
CONTACT: Brennan Brockbank, Health & Science Coordinator, David Douglas School District

Noggin volunteers from Portland State University, OHSU and other area campuses will meet with 6th and 8th graders in this David Douglas District public middle school, to explore neuroscience research and make art related to understanding our brains.

The school is generously providing pipe cleaners (~20/student), nitrile gloves (for brain wrangling), coffee and LUNCH!

Period 1: 8:50 – 10:00
Period 2: 10:15-11:20
Lunch/Break: 11:10 – 1:45
Period 4: 1:45 – 2:50
Come join us! Please contact Bill Griesar (griesar@pdx.edu) and Jeff Leake (jleake@pdx.com) to get involved.
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
3. Danica Helms, PSU
4. Bee Conn, PSU
5. Zulyed Guerra, PSU
6. Hayley Kopp, Evergreen State College
7. Maddy Wary, OHSU
8. Alicia Bridges, PSU
9. Daisy Graham, PSU
10. Hannah Whitley, PSU
11. Becky Callos, PSU
12. Chloe Rice, OSU
13.
14.
15.

NOGGINFEST 2026!!!!
2026-03-07 13:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Leaven Community Center, 5431 NE 20th Ave, Portland, OR, 97211, United States
WHAT: NogginFest PLUS Brain Fair!
We did it!!!!
NOGGINFEST 2026!!!!

Brain awareness – homegrown, grassroots and genuine 😍

WHERE: Leaven Community Center, 5431 NE 20th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
WHEN: Saturday, March 7, 1:00pm – 9:00pm (COME BY ANYTIME!)

Set Up 11 am

Booths 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Brain wrangling!, Chemistry Can Crushing, Pipe Cleaner Brain Cells, Control Your Friends, Free Crafting, Oregon Hearing Research Center (Test your Hearing! See your Ear Canal!), Balance Lab (Test your Balance!), Dreams of a Scientist, and more!
Poster Session 2 pm – 5 pm
Speakers 5 pm – 6:30 pm

Randall Olson, OHSU
Hannah Cunningham, OHSU
Melissa Papesh, OHSU
Larry Sherman, OHSU/Oregon National Primate Research Center
Music 7 – 9 pm
Improv Chorale Ensemble
Wolf
Blestt Chest
Don Gero
Tear Down 9 pm
WHAT IS NOGGINFEST?
Science, research, collaboration, empathy and art matter, and we aim to celebrate it all!

Make art! Enjoy music! Discover cutting edge research! Ask questions! Hold BRAINS! This is the largest student-run, accessible, FREE, all ages, public celebration of music, art, brain research and interdisciplinary neuroscience in the Pacific Northwest!

Northwest Noggin and the PSU Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Association/Neuro Club are stepping up for our NINTH annual NOGGINFEST! And for the second time we’re adding a BRAIN FAIR plus a Society for Neuroscience Chapter Meeting, with MORE research speakers and research posters, MORE brains, MORE live music and MORE art!

LEARN MORE: NOGGINFEST
Hold the date! More details coming soon 😃

Noggin @ Jeff!
2026-04-17 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Jefferson High School
WHAT: Noggins @ Jefferson High School
We did it!!

GREAT QUESTIONS!!!
Why do redheads have a different tolerance for pain?
LEARN MORE: Research reveals why redheads may have different pain thresholds
LEARN MORE: Red-Haired People’s Altered Responsiveness to Pain, Analgesics, and Hypnotics: Myth or Fact?
LEARN MORE: Anesthetic Requirement is Increased in Redheads

“Thank you all so much for volunteering part of your day to come out and spend time with our students! It was the talk of the halls today, and my later classes of the day were so jealous to have missed it!”
-Olive Altieri, Biology Teacher, Jefferson High School

Where was anatomy, including brain anatomy, first investigated in detail?
“Like most of the historical depictions of the brain, including medieval illustrations of trepanning, these drawings are of western European origin. Little, if any work has attempted to compile or assess historical depictions of the brain from outside of the western world. It is very likely that non-western historical depictions of the brain exist, but are less popularized and have been scarce in the circulating historical literature. Thus, more historical investigations are required to balance these views for a complete historical lens on neuroanatomy…”
LEARN MORE: Historical Depictions of the Brain: The Origins from the Non-Western World

LEARN MORE: Ibn Al-Haytham: Father of Modern Optics
LEARN MORE: How Islam changed medicine

What are some career paths for those interested in neuroscience?
LEARN MORE: Careers in Neuroscience
LEARN MORE: Neuroscience jobs in United States
LEARN MORE: Career Options for Scientists

WHERE: Jefferson High School, 5210 N Kerby St., Portland, OR 97217
WHEN: Friday, April 17th from 8:00am – noon
CONTACT: Olive Altieri, Biology & Anatomy Teacher, Jefferson High School

We’re excited to return to Jeff this spring for some brains and art!

From Olive: “As a student body, I’ve noticed that many students show a lot of interest in disruption to the nervous system and deviations in brain function (from injury, addiction, neurological disorders, etc.) They really enjoy getting to be hands-on in their learning, which is why this will be such a great fit for them! They also always enjoy learning about intersectional issues related to individual and public health.”

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. MacKenzie Johnson, PSU
4. Haile Wells, PSU
5. Sofia Romero, PSU
6. Nyah Hawley, PSU
7. Simra Ahsan, PSU
8. Ameru Mohammed Zaki, PSU
9. Pearl Ton, PSU
10. Mia Knepper, PSU
11. Gabe Guarin, PSU

Noggin @ Jack and Jill!
2026-04-18 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
WHAT: Noggin visit with Jack and Jill
We did it!

“Thank you all for volunteering your time with our kids on Saturday. Your enthusiasm and knowledge for neuroscience was infectious, and the session made a great impression on them. These pictures tell it all!” -Angela Patrick, Jack and Jill of America, Portland Willamette Valley Chapter

Thank you for inviting us!
WHERE: North Portland Community Library, 512 N. Killingsworth, Portland OR 97211
WHEN: Saturday, April 18th, 3:00 – 5:00pm; 2:45pm for set up!
CONTACT: Angela Patrick, Jack and Jill of America, Portland Willamette Valley Chapter

The nonprofit Jack and Jill of America aims to provide social, cultural and educational opportunities for youth between the ages of 2 and 19, through programs centered around leadership development, awareness of cultural heritage and community service.

This is our first visit with Jack and Jill. We’re excited to meet more Northwest families, make art and discuss any and all questions about brains and research!

Some questions!!!
How much does sleep really affect the brain?
How much of the brain can you live without?
What parts of the brain do you need the most?
What are the best fruits and vegetables to support brain health?
How much of the brain do we actually use?
How many minutes of cell phone use is safe for the brain?
What is the strangest thing you have ever learned about the brain?
What is the most important thing you should do to keep your brain healthy?
What’s the best diet for a healthy brain?
What part of your brain makes you a “lefty” or a “righty”?
“A preference for using one hand over another—or handedness—is a complex trait with well-studied neural correlates. Differences in the language, motor, and somatosensory networks have been consistently reported when comparing right- and left-handed individuals. For example, left-handed individuals exhibit more bilateral activation of brain regions during language tasks, suggesting a greater reliance on the right hemisphere for language processing. The corpus callosum, which connects the two hemispheres, may be larger in left-handed individuals, indicating increased inter-hemispheric communication. Recent work further suggests that differences related to handedness extend beyond localized regions to widespread functional connectivity differences, potentially affecting every canonical brain network…”
BUT: What is a lefty? What’s a righty?
LEARN MORE: Brain handedness associations depend on how and when handedness is measured
LEARN MORE: Polygenic scores for handedness and their association with asymmetries in brain structure
LEARN MORE: Large-scale differences in functional organization of left- and right-handed individuals using whole-brain, data-driven analysis of connectivity
LEARN MORE: Why are some people left-handed? An evolutionary perspective
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
3. Haile Wells, PSU
4. Rean Guardian, PSU
5. Jeanne Fu, Multnomah Arts Center
6. Maddy Monahan, PSU
7. Simra Ahsan, PSU
8. Ameru Mohammed Zaki, PSU
9. Mia Knepper, PSU
10. Gabe Guarin, PSU
11. Charlie Kelley, PSU
12. Victoria Boateng, PSU

Noggin @ MLK in Vancouver!
2026-04-21 12:30 - 14:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Martin Luther King Elementary School, 4801 Idaho St, Vancouver, OR, 98661, United States
WHAT: Noggin visit with K-5 students!
We did it!!

WHERE: Martin Luther King Elementary School, 4801 Idaho St, Vancouver, WA 98661
WHEN: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 12:30 – 2:30pm
CONTACT: Amalia Franco, Family Community Resource Coordinator, MLK Elementary

Going back to elementary school with extra noggins and art!
COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
3. Chloe Rice, OSU
4. Sofia Romero, PSU
5. Danica Helms, PSU
6. Simra Ahsan, PSU
7. Ameru Mohammed Zaki, PSU
8. Mia Knepper, PSU
9. Gabe Guarin, PSU
10. Charlie Kelley, PSU
See what we did the last time we visited MLK!
Enamored by Neuroscience!

“Branches of the same tree”

Noggin @ NEW YEAR in the Park!
2026-04-25 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Glenhaven Park, 7900 NE Siskiyou St, Portland, OR, 97213, United States
WHAT: Noggin brains and art @ New Year in the Park 2026!
We did it!!!

WHERE: BOOTH 7, Glenhaven Park, 7900 NE Siskiyou St, Portland, OR 97213

WHEN: Saturday, April 25, 9:00am (for set up) – 3:00pm!
CONTACTS: Becky Muck and Anna Somvong, New Year in the Park Planning Committee

New Year in the Park is SO MUCH FUN!!
The celebration showcases cultural dance and music performances, traditional games, cultural crafts and activities, and vendor booths with food and merchandise. The purpose of our cultural event is to highlight vibrant Southeast Asian communities in the greater Portland area.

COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
3. Becky Callos, PSU
4. Haile Wells, PSU
5. Rean Guardian, PSU
6. Simra Ahsan, PSU
7. Ameru Mohammed Zaki, PSU
8. Charlie Kelley, PSU
9. Gabe Guarin, PSU
10. Hannah Whitely, PSU
11. Autumn Bradford, PSU
12. Daisy Graham, Skidmore College

NEURAL MURAL celebration @ PSU!
2026-04-29 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Cramer Hall 3rd floor Skybridge to Smith, Portland State University, 1721 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, 97201-3300, United States
WHAT: Celebration of the new NEURAL MURAL at Portland State University!
We did it!!

WHERE: 3rd floor skybridge between Cramer Hall and the Smith Memorial Union at Portland State University, 1721 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon 97201-3300
WHEN: Wednesday, April 29, 1:00 – 4:00pm

HOLD BRAINS! MAKE ART! ENJOY SNACKS!
LEARN MORE AT THIS LINK! AND ALSO HERE!
Placemaking @ Portland State

Adaptation through Brains & Art
2026-04-30 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 Three Creeks Rd, Sisters, OR, 97759, United States
WHAT: Invited Noggin presentation at the Roundhouse Foundation

We did it!!

LEARN MORE: Adaptation, Brain and Body
WHERE: Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 Three Creeks Rd, Sisters, OR 97759
WHEN: Thursday, April 30, 2026, starts at 6:00pm!
***FREE! REGISTER AT THIS LINK!

We’re excited to explore the theme of adaptation as part of the Lecture Series at Pine Meadow Ranch in Sisters, Oregon. Discover the neuroscience of brain plasticity and the circumstances and behaviors that foster adaptation to changing environments. Bill and Jeff have discussed these topics with K-12 public school students and a host of other community members (more than 80,000!) since 2012. We’ll create our own gel print brain cells during the event!
Brain Cell Gel Prints

DRAFT SLIDES (pdf): NW Noggin_Adaptation_Roundhouse_4_2026
DRAFT SLIDES (pptx): NW Noggin_Adaptation_Roundhouse_4_2026

Noggin @ Marshall Elementary (Vancouver)
2026-05-12 08:30 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | George C. Marshall Elementary School, 6400 MacArthur Blvd #7533, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
WHAT: Noggin visits Marshall Elementary in Vancouver!
We did it!!

How does the brain send signals to other parts of the body?
If someone has dementia, is there any way to bring back their memories?
If you get a concussion can you see a bruise on your brain?
Why do you study brains?

Can the brain function outside of the body?
How do you keep a brain alive?
What does it smell like?

WHERE: George C. Marshall Elementary School, 6400 MacArthur Blvd #7533, Vancouver, WA 98661
WHEN: Tuesday, May 12, 8:30am – noon
CONTACT: Darya Samiee

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. Haile Wells, PSU
4. Sofia Romero, PSU
5. Danica Helms, PSU
6. Gabe Guarin, PSU
7. Charlie Kelley, PSU
8. Rean Guardian, PSU
9. Daisy Graham, Skidmore College
