NW NOGGIN: Neuroscience outreach group (growing in networks)

Noggin @ MacLaren!
2026-05-22 15:00 - 18:00 (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!!

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
