NW NOGGIN: Neuroscience outreach group (growing in networks)

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
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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

Noggin @ David Douglas!
2026-05-14 09:00 - 14:30 | 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!!!

WHERE: David Douglas High School, NORTH Building, 1001 SE 135th, Portland, OR 97233; Rooms 319 and 320. We will need to check in at the office and then make our way to the Social Studies building.
WHEN: THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026, 9:00am – 2:30pm
Contact: Heather Murdock and Tracy Lind, teachers, David Douglas High School

We are excited – even depolarized! – to return to the lively Psychology 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. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
3. Haile Wells, PSU
4. Simra Ahsan, PSU
5. Charlie Kelley, PSU
6. Sofia Romero, PSU
7. Josue Lopez, PSU
8. Ameru Mohammed Zaki, PSU
9. Rean Guardian, PSU
10. Charlie Kelley, PSU
11. Nyah Hawley, PSU
12. Pearl Ton, PSU
13. Gabe Guarin, PSU
14. Luis Carillo, PSU
15. Daisy Graham, Skidmore College
See what we’ve done before @ David Douglas!
Noggin @ David Douglas 2025

Noggin @ David Douglas 2024

Thank you for letting us touch your brains

Inspiration & Education!

Everything but guns

Noggin @ MacLaren!
2026-05-22 15:00 - 18:00 | MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, 2630 N Pacific Hwy, Woodburn, 97071, United States
WHAT: Noggin visit to MacClaren Youth Correctional Facility
We did it!!

All photos by Vanessa Bucio and Blanca Barajas, Hope Partnership

WHERE: MacClaren Youth Correctional Facility, 2630 N Pacific Highway, Woodburn, OR 97071; go first to the Gatehouse to check in.
WHEN: FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2026, 3:00 – 6:00pm
3:00-3:30pm – Check in at Gatehouse/Set UP
3:30-4:30pm – Group One presentation
5:00-6:00pm – Group Two presentation
***IMPORTANT: PLEASE ARRIVE AT 3:00pm!!
***NO cellphones/cameras/coins/money allowed; only bring your ID/car key.
Contact: Vanessa Bucio Chavez, Project Coordinator, HOPE Partnership
Contact: Blanca Diaz Barajas, 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.
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)
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin, PSU
3. Rean Guardian, PSU
4. Sofia Romero, PSU
5. Nyah Hawley, PSU
6. Maddy Monahan, PSU
7. Charlie Kelley, PSU
8. Daisy Graham, Skidmore College

Noggins @ Oregon Youth Neuroscience!
2026-05-24 15:00 - 16:30 | Beaverton City Library, 12375 SW 5th St, Beaverton, OR, 97005, United States
WHAT: Noggin presents @ Oregon Youth Neuroscience Conference
We did it!!!

“NW Noggin — Thank you so much for all you brought to this year’s OYNC! Your fun and educational activities definitely helped make this conference a success..!” – OYNC

WHERE: Beaverton City Library, 12375 SW 5th St, Beaverton, OR 97005
WHEN: Sunday, May 24, 2026, 3:00 – 4:30pm
Contacts: Jia Bhardwaj, Co-Director, Oregon Youth Neuroscience Conferences

This is a free, public event for ALL middle and high school students!
MAKE YOUR OWN: BRAIN CELL GEL PRINTS

COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS
1. Bill Griesar, NW Noggin/PSU/OHSU
2. Jeff Leake, NW Noggin/PSU
3. Haile Wells, PSU
4. Simra Ahsan, PSU
5. Mia Knepper, PSU
6. Sofia Romero, PSU
7. Maddy Monahan, PSU
8. Ameru Mohammed Zaki, PSU
9. Rean Guardian, PSU
10. Charlie Kelley, PSU
11. Nyah Hawley, PSU
12. Gabe Guarin, PSU
13. Daisy Graham, Skidmore College

Noggin presents: AI and the Brain
2026-09-16 - 2026-09-18
WHAT: “Your brain learns what your brain does” – presentation and workshop by Bill Griesar and Jeff Leake of Northwest Noggin at the American Technical Education Association (ATEA) 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 popular, and people use Large Language Models (LLMs) every day. Sometimes we use AI intentionally (for example, we type a specific request for a paper 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 learn from those patterns to make predictions. There are situations where this technology can be very helpful, and we’ll discover some fascinating applications. Brains learn from the experiences we have, forming predictive networks through trial and error. These experiences are critical, because brains learn what brains do, so if you use ChatGPT to write a paper, or call for art, or complete any other kind of assignment, your brain does not learn anything more than how to format an effective query for ChatGPT. AI removes human engagement, and the useful mistakes and often challenging journey 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 13:00 - 15:15 | 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, 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!

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?

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
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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
