NW NOGGIN: Neuroscience outreach group (growing in networks)

Sitton outreach planning @ Chapel Pub
2017-05-08 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Chapel Pub, 430 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR, 97217, United States
WHAT: Planning for outreach visit to Sitton Elementary
WHERE: McMenamin’s Chapel Pub, 430 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97217
WHEN: Monday, May 8, 5:30pm

Kindergarten and first grade teachers (include Michele Intern, Zulema Valenzuela, Elizabeth Mick and Dana Nerenberg) at Sitton Elementary School have been engaging in trauma informed teaching practices this year. They have been educating students about the brain and self regulation…
Noggin will visit Sitton to talk about neuroscience, and introduce some brain-related art projects (and real brains!) to both students and teachers. In fact, we have several graduate volunteers from OHSU who study emotional regulation in the context of development who are particularly eager to participate…
For our planning at the Chapel Pub, think about how best to relate aspects of brain structure and function involved in emotional regulation to young children…
MORE DETAILS AVAILABLE AT THE LINK:
Noggin @ Sitton Elementary

May 11 @ 11:00 am – 2:30 pm

P:ear training!
2017-05-06 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | P:ear, 338 NW 6th Ave, Portland, OR, 97209, United States
WHAT: Mandatory for volunteer participants at P:ear
WHEN: Saturday, May 6th, 9:00am – 1:00pm
WHERE: P:ear, 338 NW 6th Ave. Portland, OR 97209

NW Noggin has several outreach efforts in the planning stages this summer at P:ear, and if you’d like to participate, you must complete the training offered there on Saturday, May 6th!

Abstracts DUE for SfN in DC
2017-05-04 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | OR
The Society for Neuroscience‘s 47th annual meeting, Neuroscience 2017, is the world’s largest neuroscience conference for scientists and physicians devoted to understanding the brain and nervous system. The conference is scheduled for November 11-15 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Join more than 30,000 colleagues from more than 80 countries at the world’s largest marketplace of ideas and tools for global neuroscience.

More than 15,000 abstracts are submitted each year. Accepted abstracts are organized into scientific poster sessions, Theme J (History and Education) poster sessions, and nanosymposia.
The Society has generously welcomed TEN of our Noggin undergraduate outreach volunteers (nine from Psychology at Portland State University, and one from Neuroscience at WSU Vancouver) to submit an abstract (text below) on STEAM outreach and receive complimentary conference admission in November! We’ll be visiting DC area schools this fall as well…
More on our plans for the conference available here…
#brains2DC!

The ten NW Noggin SfN-sponsored undergraduate outreach participants include…
1. Sulema Rodriguez, PSU/NIH BUILD EXITO scholar
2. Heather Hamilton, PSU/NIH BUILD EXITO scholar
3. Christina Williams, WSU Vancouver
4. Jacob Schoen, PSU/Noggin Resource Council member for PSU
5. Aliese Poole, PSU
6. Andrea Anaya, PSU
7. Jennifer Jensen, PSU
8. Jesse Hamlin, PSU
9. Jobe Ritchie, PSU
10. Alex Kunz, PSU
All members of SfN are welcome to submit abstracts until 5 p.m. EDT on Thursday, May 4.
Call for Abstracts
Control/Tracking Number: 2017-J-16448-SfN
Activity: Theme J Abstract
Current Date/Time: May 5, 2017 2:45:53 PM EDT
Bridging the gap: understanding neuroscience through symbiotic learning and community outreach

AUTHOR BLOCK *C. A. WILLIAMS1, A. R. KUNZ2, S. RODRIGUEZ6, H. A. HAMILTON7, J. L. JENSEN3, A. L. POOLE3, A. ANAYA4, J. M. HAMLIN3, J. J. SCHOEN5, J. L. RITCHIE3;
1Washington State Univ., Vancouver, WA; 2Biochem., 3Portland State Univ., Portland, OR; 4Portland State Univ., Clackamas, OR; 5Psychology, Portland State Univ., Portland, OR; 7Biol., 6PSU/NIH Build Exito, Portland, ORAbstract:
NW Noggin is a nonprofit integrative art and neuroscience organization that takes an innovative approach to education for people of all ages. Noggin operates through the combined effort of students, scientists, and artists from Oregon and Washington State. This approach provides volunteers with opportunities for involvement that include: outreach, teaching experience, public speaking experience, networking, and much more. This multi-institutional outreach facilitates collaboration between the community and institutions of higher education which can often be a difficult gap to bridge. In our efforts to teach the public, we are also teaching ourselves. As future scientists and educators in the making, we relish the opportunity to share our knowledge with a thirsty and curious public. During the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Brain Fair in March 2017, Noggin hosted a table where members of the community approached us with questions that challenged and inspired us to think critically, and creatively, which further solidified our understanding of neuroscience. By the end of the day, we had gone through over 1200 gloves, which were utilized to hold real brains. Ultimately, we were stunned by the sheer volume of people who attended this event. Contributing to public understanding of neuroscience and psychology generates a sense of altruism within us because we value the contributions, and personal connections we make within our community. This was especially evident at Shahala Middle School in February of 2017 when Noggin provided brain demonstrations, and led students through the construction of pipe cleaner neurons. The students were attentive, respectful, and most importantly, engaged in the educational process. It was uplifting to see the eyes of our future generation light up with excitement as they got a closer look at real human brains. We believe that these experiences will remain with them as they continue on their academic journey. Whether that journey leads them to explore the sciences, or otherwise, is a prospect that makes doing outreach so rewarding. If we want to begin solving problems in the world, it starts with outreach. It’s through collaboration, and the proliferation of knowledge, that issues can be resolved. The work we do as volunteers fuels our own drive for scientific knowledge, and we hope to inspire the same in community members we interact with throughout our NW Noggin outreach.

Noggin also submitted a Theme J abstract…
NW Noggin: Synaptic community connections in the rural Pacific Northwest
GRIESAR, W.S.*, LEAKE, J.*
Science needs investment, and engaging young people and the public explains discoveries and builds support for education and research. Integrating arts in STEM (STEAM) fosters engagement. Here we report on efforts to reach K-12 students and the public about brain research through arts in the rural Northwest. NW Noggin (nwnoggin.org) is an education non-profit that organizes graduates, undergraduates, K-12 students, scientists and artists to collaborate, learn from each other, and excite people about brain research through the arts in both formal and informal settings. Our urban outreach volunteers (from Portland State University (PSU), Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) and other Portland area campuses) have worked with over 14,000 academic priority students since 2012, presenting art projects and research in schools, museums, homeless youth centers, breweries, theaters, Congress, the Obama White House, and even bike shop pubs! In spring 2017, we hit the road with 10 volunteers from PSU, OHSU and WSU Vancouver. We spent three days in the rural Washington community of Davenport, meeting with every kindergartner through 9th grader in town! We discussed federally funded research on the brain and drugs, anxiety, depression, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, the genetics of parenting behavior, the mathematical modeling of brain activity, adolescent brain development and other compelling topics. We made our own pipe cleaner neurons, and created beautiful brain cell prints. We were also joined in Davenport by the Manager for Constituent & Community Relations for Representative Cathy McMorris-Rogers, Republican co-Chair of the House Neuroscience caucus. Both her office and that of Representative Earl Blumenauer, the Democratic co-Chair, had invited our NW Noggin volunteers to present a briefing in Congress in spring 2016. In Davenport, we were the “brain people,” offered free coffee all over town, and covered by the local newspaper. From the Congresswoman’s staffer: “A sincere thanks for inviting me to spend time with your group in Davenport! NW Noggin is meeting a very unique but important need in communities across the PNW (and country) which we are very grateful for.” We subsequently drove 14 volunteers to rural La Grande, Oregon for another popular day of research discussion and brain-related arts with 6th – 12th graders. Building excitement and awareness of discoveries in neuroscience through arts-integrated outreach across institutional, state, federal, partisan, urban/rural and generational lines trains new scientists to collaborate and communicate, and increases awareness and support for further investment in research and the arts.
* Department of Psychology, Portland State University; NW Noggin (nwnoggin.org)

Noggin @ Franklin High
2017-04-26 13:30 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Franklin High School, 5405 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR, 97206, United States
WHAT: Visit to Psychology classrooms at Franklin High School

WHERE: Franklin High School (Portland Public Schools), 3905 SE 91st Ave, Portland, OR 97266

WHEN: Wednesday, April 26, One class: 1:45pm – 3:15pm

We’ll introduce volunteers, who will briefly describe their studies and research, how they got where they are now, and where they’d like to be going. We’ll ask students what questions they have, and what they already know about the brain and behavior. Then we’ll break into groups to make art! Arts Coordinator Jeff Leake will add details on what we’re thinking about for Franklin soon.

We’ll also introduce human and animal brains for students to examine up close, hold, and contemplate – and we’ll answer the many questions typically prompted by this experience…

Come join us! High school students studying Psychology in Portland Public Schools would LOVE to hear about your education and research interests, and discover what you’re learning about behavior and the brain..!
Please RSVP to: griesar@pdx.edu and aspragus@yahoo.com
Hope to see you in school this month & cheers!
Bill & Jeff
CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS
1. Aliese Poole, PSU
2. Christina Williams, WSU
3. Jessica Patching-Bunch, PSU
4. Mary Ruth Marigomen, WSU
5. Bradley Mahoney, WSU

Noggin @ Franklin High
2017-04-25 08:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Franklin High School, 5405 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR, 97206, United States
UPDATE: See what we did in the classroom at Franklin High!
Frequencies @ Franklin!

WHAT: Visit to Karen Polis’s Psychology classrooms at Franklin High School

WHERE: Franklin High School (Portland Public Schools), 3905 SE 91st Ave, Portland, OR 97266

WHEN: We’ll plan to be at Franklin for the following dates/times:

Tuesday, April 25, Two classes: 8:15am – 11:24am
Wednesday, April 26, One class: 1:45pm – 3:15pm

We’ll introduce volunteers, who will briefly describe their studies and research, how they got where they are now, and where they’d like to be going. We’ll ask students what questions they have, and what they already know about the brain and behavior. On Tuesday we’ll hear from Wenzl McGowen of the band Moon Hooch, listen to great music and talk about music and the brain… On Wednesday we’ll enjoy an art project – details coming from Jeff Leake…

We’ll also introduce human and animal brains for students to examine up close, hold, and contemplate – and we’ll answer the many questions typically prompted by this experience…
Come join us! High school students studying Psychology in Portland Public Schools would LOVE to hear about your education and research interests, and discover what you’re learning about behavior and the brain..!
Please RSVP to: griesar@pdx.edu and aspragus@yahoo.com
Hope to see you in school this month & cheers!
Bill & Jeff

CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS
1. Binyam Nardos, OHSU
2. Firas Saad, PSU
3. Brittany Alperin, OHSU
4. Jeremy Dunford, WSU
5. Rebecca Hood, OHSU
6. Jennifer Jensen, PSU
7. Leota Wolford, PSU
8. Kindra Crick, NW Noggin
9. Rebekah Hough, PSU
10. Rebekah Alexander, PSU/NIH BUILD EXITO
11. Mike Soroka

Crown of Thought @ Lane Gallery!
2017-04-22 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Lane Gallery, 2412 NW Raleigh, Portland, 97210, United States
WHAT: The UNITY Project Artists Reception
WITH: Kindra Crick (NW Noggin), Gila Lane (Portland Audubon), Tasha Williams (Black Parent Initiative), Teresa White (NAYA), Sofia Linde (CHAP), Sean Davis (Returning Veterans Project), Bonnie Metzler (Friends of the Columbia Gorge), Sharon Segal (ORA)
WHERE: LANE GALLERY, 2412 NW Raleigh, Portland, OR 97210
WHEN: Saturday April 22, 5pm-8pm
From Kindra Crick…
This work combines current and obsolete understandings of the nature of thought.

In 2017, the Allen Institute published an image of specific neurons that encircle and make connections across the entire brain, hypothesizing that these “giant neurons” project from a region that might be the conductor of consciousness. This piece is dedicated to the quest for scientific understanding which requires an acceptance of the inherent and often unpredictable mystery of discovery.
LEARN MORE: A giant neuron found wrapped around entire mouse brain

MARCH FOR SCIENCE!!
2017-04-22 09:30 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Tom McCall Waterfront Park, NW Glisan St , Portland, OR, 97209, United States
UPDATE: See what we did on Earth Day!
Synapsing for Science!

WHAT: March for Science PDX!
WHERE: Tom McCall Waterfront Park
WHEN: EARTH DAY, April 22, 10am – 2pm (Noggin volunteers please arrive by 9:30am!)

LEARN MORE: March for science with art & brains!

Science works. It demands that we test our hypotheses through experiment – and then gather the evidence, share information, replicate investigations, and critically interpret data from the real world…

Investing in scientific research produces results. This approach has eradicated smallpox, developed deep brain stimulators to treat Parkinson’s disease, landed people on the moon, built computers and iPhones, lit our homes and brought us stunning photos and information from Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Pluto – and Earth.

By linking up and following the evidence – properly routing real data and observable facts – our own networks of linked neurons have illuminated and explained, and inspire awe, wonder and curiosity about life, the universe, and everything…

We know, from countless school visits and community events, that researched answers to real questions about how we are built and function is something both kids and the public want to know, and understand, and appreciate, and consider, while enjoying that tingling, tantalizing sense of genuine discovery…

Bring your pipe cleaner neurons – and make more at the Noggin table: Come join us at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland on Earth Day, April 22, to show your support for the best way of discovering how the world actually works – and how to make it a better place for all!
Confirmed Noggin participants
1. Allie Clark, PSU
2. Kris Thomason, OHSU
3. Jesse Hamlin, PSU
4. Sulema Rodriguez, PSU
5. Andrea Anaya, PSU
6. Heather Hamilton, PSU/NIH EXITO
7. Alison Mack, PSU
8. Travis Chistian, PSU
9. Andrew Stanley, PSU
10. John Harkness, WSU/NW Noggin
11. Leota Wolford, PSU
12. Maxwell Neideigh, WSU
13. Jobe Ritchie, PSU
14. Alyssa Glace, PSU
15. Austin Abshire, PSU
16. Ian Anderson, PSU
17. Kim Engeln, WSU
18. Christina Williams, WSU
19. Metz Prottas, PSU
20. Kassandra Johnson, PSU
21. Jacob Schoen, PSU
22. Joella Deal, PSU
23. Kelly Stromberg, PSU

Velo Cult (Alcohol & Caffeine)!
2017-04-19 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Velo Cult Bike Shop, 1969 NE 42nd, Portland, OR
WHAT: Drunk mice on espresso – what could go wrong?
WHERE: Velo Cult, 1969 NE 42ND AVE PORTLAND, OR 97213
WHEN: Wednesday, April 19th, 2017, 6 – 8pm
UPDATE: See what we did at the link 🍺 ☕️
Drunk Mice on Espresso

Drunk mice on espresso – what could go wrong?Irish coffee, Spanish coffee, Red Bull & vodka…
How do caffeine and alcohol affect your brain? How do these two popular chemicals swirl into your synapses to jointly affect your mood, memory, and behavior?
WITHAlfredo Zuñiga at OHSU Behavioral Neuroscience, who studies how caffeine, the most widely used substance in the world, encourages alcohol drinking.
&
Kim Engeln, a photographer, student at Reed & WSU Vancouver, a barista and a bartender, who is no stranger to the synergistic effects of liquor and caffeine. Kim has created a collection of photos comparing facial expressions after shots of each drug, and how expressions change after consuming both at once…
Join us for a stimulating (and biphasically activating) evening at Velo Cult – a renowned provider of BOTH house-brewed coffee and excellent beer!

NW Noggin Velo Cult events are always free, open to the public, child friendly, and feature access to amazing beer (scroll here for current tap list), wine, coffee, tea, sodas and sandwiches…

MESA Day!
2017-04-15 09:30 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | WSU Vancouver
UPDATE: See what we did at MESA Day 2017!
Midbrains & more @ MESA!

WHAT: MESA Day! (Note: there will be FOOD 🙂
WHERE: WSU Vancouver Library (Room 260)
WHEN: April 15th, 9:30am – 3:00pm
We’ll be introducing our brains and brain-related art projects to young people through MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement), an organization offering pathways to college and careers in various STEM fields for traditionally underrepresented students, including African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, Pacific Islanders and women.
Please RSVP to: griesar@pdx.edu and aspragus@yahoo.com
LEARN MORE: SW WASHINGTON MESA

See what we did last spring!
Myelinating for MESA!

COMMITTED VOLUNTEERS

Juliana Chase
Jessica Patching-Bunch, PSU
Angela Gonzalez, WSU
Tony Carley, WSU
Nick Dunn., WSU
Sulema Rodriguez, PSU

Matthew Carlisle, WSU
Rebekah Hough, PSU

Jeremy Dunford, WSU

Erin Cooper, WSU

Ben Yefimov, WSU

Gianfranco DiCarlo, WSU

Aliese Poole, PSU
Leota Wolford, PSU
Jennifer Jensen, PSU
Samantha Harris, PSU

Brain Awareness Lecture: Sleep, Memory and Dreams
2017-04-04 18:00 - 20:30 UTC | Newmark Theater, Portland, OR
Sleep, Memory and Dreams: Putting it all together

Tuesday, April 4
6–8:30 p.m.
Newmark Theatre
Robert Stickgold, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Director, Center for Sleep and Cognition
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
UPDATE: We were there! Learn more about sleep at the link…

Noggins in Nod: The science of sleep

Learn more about this lecture.
Noggin will have a table – please arrive by 6pm!
CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS
1. Jessica Patching-Bunch, PSU
2. Leota Wolford, PSU
3. Christina Williams, WSU
4. Erin Cooper, WSU
5. Jeremy Dunford, WSU
6. Brit Gratreak, PSU
7. Imee Williams, WSU
8. Sulema Rodriguez, PSU
9. Heather Hamilton, PSU
10. Kindra Crick, Noggin Board
Learn more about the last two OHSU Brain Awareness lectures at the links…
Touched in the head

Psychopathy & brains

March for Science @ Velo Cult!
2017-03-29 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Velo Cult Bike Shop, 1969 NE 42nd, Portland, OR
Support science 🔬!
UPDATE: See what we did at Velo on March 29th!
March for science with art & brains!

WHAT: An evening of science and art making; learn about brain cells and create your own!
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29 (6 – 8pm)
WHERE: Velo Cult, 1969 NE 42nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97213
NW Noggin Velo Cult events are always free, all ages, and open to everyone!

PRINT AND SHARE: Noggin/Velo March for Science Pipe Cleaner Neuron Building poster PDF

By making your own brain cell..!

Pipe cleaner neurons are colorful, bright and visible, they demonstrate structural and functional facts about our nervous systems, and they allow for creative expression..!

Brain cells also connect, linking to each other across short gaps called synapses, and form powerful networks that effectively route information and let organisms, including us, respond to changes in our world with organized and successful behavior…

Science works. It demands that we test our hypotheses through experiment – and then gather the evidence, share information, replicate investigations, and critically interpret data from the real world…

Investing in scientific research produces results. This approach has eradicated smallpox, landed people on the moon, built computers and iPhones, lit our homes and brought us stunning photos and information from Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Pluto – and Earth.

By linking up and following the evidence – properly routing real data and observable facts – our own networks of linked neurons have illuminated and explained, and inspire awe, wonder and further curiosity about life, the universe, and everything…

We know – from countless school visits and community events – that answering real questions about how we are built and function is something both kids and the public want to know, and understand, and appreciate, and consider, and experience that tingling, tantalizing sense of genuine discovery…

Please join us at Velo Cult on Wednesday, March 29 (6 – 8pm) to support sustained federal investment in research, education and outreach – and build your own neurons!

We’ll introduce the astounding diversity of brain cell types, including specialized sensory neurons that let you see, touch, and balance, large pyramidal cells, tiny granule cells, those wildly branching Purkinje’s – while you make your own!

Did we mention that Velo Cult offers great beer, wine, soda, coffee and tea..?

Your pipe cleaner neuron can connect with others at Portland’s own March for Science on April 22 – and we are thrilled to mail some of those you create directly to organizers of the national march in Washington DC…

DISCOVER: Pipe Cleaner Neuron Project Background
CREATE: How to make a pipe cleaner neuron
WATCH: Making pipe cleaner neurons in the classroom

Brain Awareness Lecture: Touch
2017-03-27 18:00 - 20:30 UTC | Newmark Theater, Portland, OR
Touch: The Science of Hand, Heart and Mind

Monday, March 27
6–8:30 p.m.
Newmark Theatre
David Linden, Ph.D.
Professor of Neuroscience, the Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
UPDATE: LEARN WHAT WE LEARNED AT THE LINK!
Touched in the head

Learn more about this lecture.
Noggin will have a table: please arrive at the Newmark by 6:00pm!
CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS
1. Heather Hamilton, PSU & NIH BUILD EXITO
2. Meghann Farrell, PSU
3. Gaile Parker, PSU
4. Joey Seuferling, WSU
5. Joella Deal, PSU
6. Andrea Anaya, PSU
7. Jacob Schoen, PSU
8. Sulema Rodriguez, PSU
9. Brandon Forry, PSU
10. Erik Brunken, PSU

Brain Awareness Lecture: The Criminal Brain
2017-03-20 18:00 - 20:30 UTC | Newmark Theater, Portland, OR
The Criminal Brain

Monday, March 20
6–8:30 p.m.
Newmark Theatre
Octavio Choi, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Forensic Evaluation Service, Oregon State Hospital
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University
UPDATE: LEARN WHAT WE LEARNED AT THE LINK!
Psychopathy & brains

Learn more about this lecture.
Noggin will have a table: please arrive at the Newmark by 6:00pm!
CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS
1. Angela Gonzalez, WSU
2. Austin Abshire, PSU
3. Sulema Rodriguez, PSU
4. Jessica Patching-Bunch, PSU
5. Kayla Townsley, PSU
6. Britt Gratreak, PSU
7. Ankita Guchait, PSU
8. Kayla Stippich, PSU
9. Annalicia Whittaker, PSU
10. Aliese Poole, PSU

Synaptic Community Connection: Davenport WA!
2017-03-16 - 2017-03-17 | Davenport, WA, WA, 99122, United States
Noggin is spending two days in the eastern Washington state community of Davenport, from March 16 – 17th during Brain Awareness Week…
UPDATE: See what we did at the link!
Dopamine in Davenport!

We’ve been invited to present brains and art projects at Davenport Middle School on Thursday, March 16, and at Davenport Elementary School on Friday, March 17. One of NW Noggin’s most dedicated volunteers, Angela Gonzalez, an undergraduate in Neuroscience at WSU Vancouver, grew up in Davenport, and is thrilled to be returning this week with fellow Noggin volunteers from Portland State University and OHSU to talk neuroscience in her hometown..!

Itinerary…
Wednesday, March 15
Drive to Davenport from Portland/Vancouver
Thursday, March 16
8:30am – 5pm; Davenport Middle School
Visits with teacher Kim Hansen’s 6, 7, 8 and 9th grade students
7th grade students are dissecting sheep brains as part of Project Lead the Way

8:55 – 9:44 = 9th grade physical science
9:48 – 10:38 = 8th grade earth science
10:42 – 11:02 = morning break!
11:06 – 11:56 = 8th grade earth science PLUS Davenport High School 8th grade anatomy class!
LUNCH 11:06-12:26
12:26 – 1:11 = 7th grade life science
1:15 – 2:00 = 6th grade intro to chemistry
2:04 – 3:49 = 7th grade life science
Friday, March 17
9:00am – 2pm; Davenport Elementary School
Drive to (or towards!) Portland/Vancouver

Five 45 minute brain + art sessions in the library:
What’s inside my head? What is my brain actually made of? How is it changing to make me better at school, social life, arts, sciences, math and sports..? Learn about brains, brain cells and brain changes with college students studying neuroscience in the Pacific Northwest…

Three undergraduate NW Noggin outreach volunteers from Psychology at Portland State University (Jacob Schoen, Joella Deal, Allie Clark), three undergraduates from Neuroscience at WSU Vancouver (Angela Gonzalez, Kim Engeln, Christina Williams), and two graduate students from Behavioral Neuroscience at OHSU (Rebecca Hood, Scott Jones) are talking about neuroscience and psychology research, answering questions, and helping students make their own brain cells..!

Many thanks to OHSU Behavioral Neuroscience for supporting graduate student travel, the Associated Students of WSU Vancouver for funding three of their undergraduates, and PSU Psychology for sending Noggin faculty to Davenport… 🙂
Davenport is a six hour drive from Portland/Vancouver, with two local motels (Black Bear Motel; Davenport Motel).

We’ll drive to Davenport from Portland/Vancouver on Wednesday (3/15), and stay for two nights. MEDIA CONTACTS: Bill Griesar, (503) 914-7487; Jeff Leake, (270) 779-4239

Noggin @ BioGift Anatomical
2017-03-14 13:00 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | OR
An unforgettable experience at a body donation lab, thanks to the skilled father and son dissection team of Michael and Miguel Pierre!

Thanks also to Andrew Hardy, the BioGift Business Manager, for joining us at Liberty High School and arranging for Noggin brain donations – and welcoming our outreach volunteers into the lab!
UPDATE: See what we did! Quite a day!
A BioGift of Brains

Noggin @ Hillsboro's Liberty High!
2017-03-14 10:00 - 11:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Liberty High School, 21945 NW Wagon Way, Hillsboro, OR, 97124, United States
UPDATE: See what we did! Quite a day!
A BioGift of Brains

Noggin volunteers are heading west on Tuesday, March 14, to meet with 50 high school students at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Oregon…

WHAT: Visit to Liberty High School, Hillsboro, Oregon
WHERE: Liberty High School, 21945 NW Wagon Way, Hillsboro, OR 97124
WHEN: Tuesday, March 14, 10:00am – 11:45am
After our visit to Liberty, we’ve been invited to drop by BioGift Anatomical, a whole body donation company located in Portland, Oregon! This is a great opportunity for our graduate and undergraduate Noggin volunteers to learn about additional career options, and the process of body donation for scientific research, education and outreach. BioGift is generously donating a human brain to nwnoggin.org..!
If you can join us, please email: bgriesar@gmail.com and aspragus@yahoo.com
Confirmed participants
Kim Engeln, WSU
Jeremy Dunford, WSU
Eric Polch, WSU
Sulema Rodriguez, PSU
Gaile Parker, PSU
Jessica Patching-Bunch, PSU
Christina Williams, WSU
Aliese Poole, PSU
Leota Wolford, PSU

OMSI/OHSU Brain Fair!
2017-03-11 09:00 - 17:00 UTC | Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR, 97214, United States
Noggin is bringing 27 undergraduate and graduate volunteers to the OHSU OMSI Brain Fair this Saturday!
Look for our tables full of brains, brain experts, and brain-related art! Make your own neurons, too 🙂
*** UPDATE: See what we DID on Saturday, March 11 at the link below..!
Pipe Cleaners, Gel Prints, Electrodes & Brains!

WHAT: OHSU OMSI Brain Fair
WHERE: Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214
WHEN: Saturday, March 11, 9:00am – 5:00pm (doors open to the public at 10:00am)
See what we did last year (2016) at the link below..!
Thalamic Thunder @ OMSI

Please join us: Art projects, brain games, real cerebrums, and awesome outreach volunteers!
Confirmed:
MORNING SHIFT: 9:00am – 1:00pm
* Andre Walcott, OHSU
* Andrea Anaya, PSU
* Alfredo Zuniga, OHSU
* Sam DeLuche, PSU
* Heather Hamilton, PSU EXITO
* Angela Gonzalez, WSU
* Miles Bennette-Eaton, PSU
* Kim Engeln, WSU
* Andrew Stanley, PSU
* Alex Kunz, PSU
* Thomas Madison, PSU
* Christina Williams, WSU
* Mieya Romine, PSU

AFTERNOON SHIFT: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
* Rebekah Hough, PSU
* Sulema Rodriguez, PSU
* Matthew Carlisle, WSU
* Rebecca Hood, OHSU
* Jobe Ritchie, PSU
* Ankita Guchait, PSU/OHSU
* Kayla Townsley, PSU EXITO
* Aliese Poole, PSU
* Ian Anderson, PSU
* Erika Cuellar, OHSU
* Gianfranco DiCarlo, WSU
ALL DAY 😎: 9:00am – 5:00pm
* Kirk Wydner, PSU
* Allie Clark, PSU
* Jessica Patching-Bunch, PSU
* Bill Griesar, NW Noggin
* Jeff Leake, NW Noggin

Brain Awareness Week!
2017-03-11 - 2017-03-19 | OR
Read our interview with the Dana Foundation about Brain Awareness, and see what we’re up to the week!
NW Noggin: Interview with the Dana Foundation!

Noggin @ Byrom Elementary!
2017-03-09 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Byrom Elementary School, 21800 SW 91st Ave, Tualatin, OR, 97062, United States
UPDATE: See what we did at Byrom Elementary!
Byrom Brains!

WHAT: Brain/art outreach at Byrom Elementary with three 4th grade classrooms, totalling about 90 kids!
WHEN: Thursday, March 9, 8:00 – 11:00am (it’s apparently best to show up at Byrom Elementary between 8:15am – 8:30am to avoid parent drop off and bus traffic – if you arrive before 8:15am you will want to drive through the Byrom parking lot and park along the side of the road as you enter the residential area)…
WHERE: Byrom Elementary, 21800 SW 91st Ave, Tualatin, OR 97062

Come join us to visit energetic elementary school classrooms at Byrom Elementary south of Portland in Tualatin, Oregon, and answer questions from curious young students about their brains! We’ll also have a brain-related art project to help engage and inform…
If you’d like to participate – and excite, inform and enthuse young people about their brains – please email bgriesar@gmail.com and aspragus@yahoo.com
Confirmed participants
Jessica Patching-Bunch, PSU
Christina Williams, WSU
Andrea Anaya, PSU
Aliese Poole, PSU
Sulema Rodriguez, PSU

Noggin Tuesdays @ P:ear!
2017-03-07 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | P:ear, 338 NW 6th Ave, Portland, OR, 97209, United States
Noggin is returning to P:ear, a remarkable Portland organization 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…

3/7 SESSION 4 – NETWORKS AND SCREEN PRINTINGOur last visit! We’ll have brains and we’ll be discussing different networks (default is a good one) and screen printing some NOGGIN t-shirts…

LEARN MORE: Creativity and the default network: A functional connectivity analysis of the creative brain at rest
Remember that these are tentative plans – though we’re definitely screen printing! But we’ll also see where everyone’s interests take the discussion 🙂
See what we’ve been up to during our first three Noggin Tuesdays at the links below…
Making a human @ P:ear

Benefits + limits of neurons @ P:ear

Love & Brains @ P:ear

Noggin returns to P:ear 🍐!

Noggin @ Gardner School!
2017-03-02 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Gardner School of the Arts and Sciences, 16413 NE 50th Ave, Vancouver, WA, 98686, United States
WHAT: Noggin volunteers will visit the Gardner School of Arts and Sciences, literally just down the road from WSU Vancouver…
WHEN: Thursday, March 2, 9:00am – 11:00am
WHERE: Gardner School of Arts and Sciences, 16413 NE 50th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98686

Confirmed participants…
1. Sulema Rodriguez, PSU
2. Nick Dunn, WSU
3. Jeremy Dunford, WSU
4. Maria Honsowetz, WSU
5. Kim Engeln, WSU
6. Alexzander Isenhower, WSU
7. Austin Abshire, PSU
8. Eric Polch, WSU
See what we did during our last visit to Gardner in 2014…
NW Noggin at the Gardner School of Arts & Sciences

Noggin Tuesdays @ P:ear!
2017-02-28 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | P:ear, 338 NW 6th Ave, Portland, OR, 97209, United States
Noggin is returning to P:ear, a remarkable Portland organization 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…

This week we’re introducing autonomic systems (sympathetic/parasympathetic/enteric) and discussing how we can listen to and use electric currents to learn about the brain. We’ll bring along some EEG-based games (including the Mindflex Duel, and perhaps a Human to Human interface from Backyard Brains!). I think we may be lucky enough to welcome back Kirk Wydner, who is currently at Oregon State – he’s also an expert on making Arduino-based technology work as required 🙂
Brittany may also bring along an EEG cap from OHSU – and anything else she thinks might help with understanding the electrical nature of information flow in the brain…
UPDATE: See what we did at P:ear on Tuesday, February 28th, at the link…
Making a human @ P:ear

See what we’ve been up to during our first two Noggin Tuesdays at the links below…
Love & Brains @ P:ear

Benefits + limits of neurons @ P:ear

Still more details are available here…
Noggin returns to P:ear 🍐!

Noggin Tuesdays @ P:ear!
2017-02-21 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | P:ear, 338 NW 6th Ave, Portland, OR, 97209, United States
Noggin is returning to P:ear, a remarkable Portland organization 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…

This week we’re focusing on “all things neuron” – and making pipe cleaner brain cells of every type (sensory neurons, motor neurons, various interneurons). We’ll also welcome recent PNCA graduate Kanani Miyamoto, who will introduce a stress reducing paint technique to paint some neurons too…

DISCOVER: Pipe Cleaner Neuron Project Background
CREATE: How to make a pipe cleaner neuron
WATCH: Making pipe cleaner neurons in the classroom
More details here…
Noggin returns to P:ear 🍐!

Noggin @ HeLa High!
2017-02-16 08:30 - 12:00 UTC | He La High School, 9105 NE 9th St, Vancouver, WA, 98664, United States
FINALLY!
(The MULTIPLE SNOWPOCALYPSES are hopefully over 🙂
Noggins @ HeLa High!

Thursday, February 16 @ 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Noggin volunteers from Portland State University, Washington State University Vancouver, and OHSU will meet with about 400 students at Henrietta Lacks High School, introducing them to neuroscience research and art projects related to understanding the brain…
EXPLORE MORE: Hippocampal hordes at HeLa High

WHAT: NW Noggin visit to HeLa High
WHERE: Henrietta Lacks High School, 9105 NE 9th St., Vancouver, WA, 98664
WHEN: Thursday, January 12, 2017, 8:30am – 1:00pm
CONFIRMED LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Scott Jones, OHSU
Christina Williams, WSU, 8:30 – 10:00pm
Allana Zuccaro, PSU
Kayla Townsley, PSU EXITO
Britt Gratreak, PSU
Jeremy Dunford, WSU (10:30 – 11:30)
Tony Carley, WSU
Kim Engeln, WSU
Come join us! Please RSVP to bgriesar@gmail.com and aspragus@yahoo.com

Noggin @ Annual Cannabis Collaborative Conference!
2017-02-15 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | Portland EXPO Center, 2060 North Marine Dr., Portland, OR, 97217, United States
Art, Pain, & Cannabinoids: Results from Research
Bill Griesar, Ph.D. , Jeff Leake, M.F.A. , Ram Kandasamy

How and where do cannabinoids, chemicals found in marijuana, act in the brain, and what are the effects on behavior?
How have artists, approached (and sometimes used) these drugs to develop works that compel, move, influence, inspire, or incite..?
What does current research suggest about the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids, particularly with regards to chronic pain?
Annual Cannabis Collaborative Conference

Portland Expo Center February 15 – 16, 2017
You session is scheduled as follows:
Date: Wednesday, February 15
Time: 14:00 – 14:45
Room: D203/204
Format: Self-organized Panel
10 minutes/speaker, followed by 15 minutes of brain viewing/questions
SLIDES Bill Griesar PhD CCC Feb 2017
SLIDES Ram Kandasamy CCC Feb 2017
SLIDES Jeff Leake MFA CCC Feb 2017

Noggin Tuesdays @ P:ear!
2017-02-14 09:30 - 23:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | P:ear, 338 NW 6th Ave, Portland, OR, 97209, United States
Noggin is returning to P:ear, a remarkable Portland organization 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…

Here is an overview of the planning and session ideas for all four upcoming visits.
We’ll arrange to meet after the first couple of sessions to discuss further plans and details.
2/14 SESSION 1 – BRAINS!!
We will be bringing the brains and welcoming discussion about structure and function of brain areas, common brain myths and gathering information about what questions/interests they have.
2/21 SESSION 2 – NEURONS
We will be discussing all that is a neuron and making pipe cleaner neurons as well as using a stress reducing paint technique to paint neurons.
2/28 SESSION 3 – SYSTEMS – ELECTRODES – MIND FLEX
We will be introducing systems (sympathetic/parasympathetic) and discussing how we can use electrical currents to learn about the brain
3/7 SESSION 4 – NETWORKS AND SCREEN PRINTING
We will be discussing different networks (default is a good one) and screen printing NOGGIN t-shirts
Remember that these are tentative plans and we’ll see where their interests take the discussion!!!
More details here…
Noggin returns to P:ear 🍐!

Noggin Board Retreat
2017-02-11 | OR
Astoria, OR!

During Stout Month @ the Fort George 🍻

Noggin @ Shahala Middle School in Vancouver!
2017-02-09 08:00 - 12:05 UTC | Shahala Middle School, 601 SE 192nd Avenue, Vancouver, WA, 98683, United States
What: We will be visiting Shahala Middle School in Vancouver (Evergreen Public Schools) for two days in February to talk about (and look at) brains and make pipe cleaner neurons with over 400 students! It should look similar to this visit to Skyridge middle school we made last November.
See what we did on Tuesday, February 7th!
Synapses @ Shahala!

Where: Shahala middle school, 601 SE 192nd Ave., Vancouver, WA; With teachers Keith Johnson and Joyce Selee in room 414 on 2/7; and Christine Sullivan and Cassie LeBlanc in room 414 on 2/9
When: Tuesday Feb 7th, and Thursday Feb 9th.
Here’s the schedule: On the 7th it will be three groups of 60 students and on the 9th it will be two groups of 60 and one group of 90!
Feb 7th
‪8:05 – 9:20‪ Period 1 60 students
9:25 – 10:40 Period 2 60 students
‪10:45 – 12:05‪ Period 3 60 students
CONFIRMED VOLUNTEERS FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7th
Jessica Patching-Bunch, PSU
Andrea Anaya, PSU, afa6@pdx.edu
Gaile Parker, PSU
Sulema Rodriguez, PSU
Feb 9th
‪8:05 – 9:20‪ Period 1 60 students
9:25 – 10:40 Period 2 60 students
‪10:45 – 12:05‪ Period 3 90 students
CONFIRMED VOLUNTEERS FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9th
Jessica Patching-Bunch, PSU
Tony Carley, WSU
Andrea Anaya, PSU, afa6@pdx.edu
Kim Engeln, WSU (first period)
Gaile Parker, PSU
Scott Jones, OHSU
Christina Williams, WSU
If you can make it to any or all of these class periods let us know as soon as possible.
Jeff Leake (“Dr. Aspragus”), asparagus@yahoo.com
Bill Griesar, griesar@pdx.edu

Noggin @ Shahala Middle School in Vancouver!
2017-02-07 08:00 - 12:05 UTC | Shahala Middle School, 601 SE 192nd Avenue, Vancouver, WA, 98683, United States
What: We will be visiting Shahala Middle School in Vancouver (Evergreen Public Schools) for two days in February to talk about (and look at) brains and make pipe cleaner neurons with over 400 students!
See what we did on Tuesday, February 7th!
Synapses @ Shahala!

Where: Shahala middle school, 601 SE 192nd Ave., Vancouver, WA; With teachers Keith Johnson and Joyce Selee in room 414 on 2/7; and Christine Sullivan and Cassie LeBlanc in room 414 on 2/9
When: Tuesday Feb 7th, and Thursday Feb 9th.
Here’s the schedule: On the 7th it will be three groups of 60 students and on the 9th it will be two groups of 60 and one group of 90!
Feb 7th
‪8:05 – 9:20‪ Period 1 60 students
9:25 – 10:40 Period 2 60 students
‪10:45 – 12:05‪ Period 3 60 students
CONFIRMED VOLUNTEERS FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7th
Jessica Patching-Bunch, PSU
Andrea Anaya, PSU, afa6@pdx.edu
Gaile Parker, PSU
Sulema Rodriguez, PSU
Feb 9th
‪8:05 – 9:20‪ Period 1 60 students
9:25 – 10:40 Period 2 60 students
‪10:45 – 12:05‪ Period 3 90 students
CONFIRMED VOLUNTEERS FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9th
Jessica Patching-Bunch, PSU
Tony Carley, WSU
Andrea Anaya, PSU, afa6@pdx.edu
Kim Engeln, WSU (first period)
Gaile Parker, PSU
Scott Jones, OHSU
Christina Williams, WSU
If you can make it to any or all of these class periods let us know as soon as possible.
Jeff Leake (“Dr. Aspragus”), asparagus@yahoo.com
Bill Griesar, griesar@pdx.edu

P:ear Planning mtg
2017-02-06 15:30 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Portland State University, Cramer Hall, Room 317Z, PO Box 751, Portland, OR, 97207-0751, United States
We’ll meet to prepare topics, materials and related art projects for our upcoming outreach visits to the P:ear homeless youth drop in center. More details on these efforts are available here…
Noggin returns to P:ear 🍐!

Confirmed participants: Scott Jones, Brittany Alperin, Erin McConnell, Kanani Miyamoto
