Synaptic Shocks @ P:ear! ⚡️

We spent a gorgeous Portland afternoon at P:ear, this time with bright spring sunshine, and more people curious to learn about how neurons carry information as electric current..! It was our second Noggin Wednesday at this welcoming homeless youth center this month, and our volunteers arrived with an assortment of transparencies for drawing silk screen t-shirt designs, and…

Continue reading

Myelinating for MESA!

NW Noggin volunteers headed to the green, mountain-ringed campus of WSU Vancouver on Saturday, to meet middle and high school students participating in MESA Day 2016… SW Washington MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement*) aims to offer pathways to college for traditionally underrepresented students, including African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, Pacific Islanders…

Continue reading

“Piriforming” @ P:ear

Piriform cortex is a pear-shaped brain region in the ventral anterior temporal lobes, critical for olfaction (smell)  –  and the smells at P:ear in downtown Portland were extraordinary and welcoming on our first Noggin Wednesday this year… Lunch was donated by Por Que No? Taqueria and Cupcake Jones, so we…

Continue reading

DC: Synaptic Excitement @ PSU!

The Psychology Department at Portland State University is sending five undergraduates, and one graduate student to Washington this spring.  One additional PSU undergraduate is joining us in DC, and Portland State is also a co-sponsor of the House “Brains + Art” reception! Undergraduates Allie Clark; alliewclark@gmail.com; OHSU ADHD and Attention Program, PI:…

Continue reading

DC: Drugs, Genes, Imaging and STEAM @ OHSU

The Department of Behavioral Neuroscience at Oregon Health & Science University is a basic science department engaged in cutting edge research and teaching focused on behavioral pharmacology, genetics, and cognitive neuroscience… Behavioral Neuroscience is sending four graduate students, with expertise in drug and brain development research, neuroimaging, and STEAM outreach to…

Continue reading

Velo Cult Posters by Jeff Leake

Jeff has created some eye (and brain!)-catching work over the last few years, highlighting graduate student efforts in research and art… His posters for Noggin outreach events at Velo Cult, a famed bicycle shop pub, have attracted many to free, collaborative science/art presentations in Northeast Portland, and have helped inform and excite…

Continue reading

STEAMing to DC!

NW Noggin was invited, as the guest of both the Neuroscience and the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics (STEAM) caucuses in the US House of Representatives, to present a “Brains + Art” briefing in April, 2016! READ MORE:  NW Noggin House briefing invitation – 4-27-16 Image by Jeff Leake and Alex Voigt (2016) Three of…

Continue reading

Thalamic Thunder @ OMSI

Our subcortical sensory nuclei were nearly overwhelmed by masses of eager children, parents, grandparents and members of the public curious about neurons at the annual OHSU Brain Fair! Held at the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI), this exceptionally popular event brings together scientists, medical professionals and educators, and is the largest…

Continue reading