Where is NW Noggin?
NW Noggin is a locally sourced, 501(c)(3) ALL-VOLUNTEER shoestring nonprofit organization. Your tax-deductible contribution supports the purchase of sheep brains, pipe cleaners, electrodes and clay for innovative, arts-integrated outreach, and helps send volunteers from local universities (including Portland State University, OHSU, and other area institutions) to public school classrooms, conferences and free community events.
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NW Noggin: Art + Brains
Parietal Party in the PSU Park
Uploading your brain from Vancouver
Join us in Chile in *2027*!
In 2027 we'll return to Valparaíso, Chile, home of the Humboldt squid! 🦑⚡️🧠🎨😃 Just like in 2025, and 2023, we'll explore how neurons carry information, and how research in Chile (involving the squid’s giant fused axons) informed our understanding of the electrical signaling that links our experiences to the world. We’ll visit laboratories to examine the rich history and exciting present of brain research, make art (including arpilleras, woven depictions of events that help people express challenging memories and preserve them for accountability), and contribute to community engagement with Ciencia al Tiro, a local STEAM (STEM + Arts) outreach nonprofit. LEARN MORE: LAS NEURONAS SON BACANES. LEARN MORE: Arte y Cerebros en Chile LEARN MORE: ARTS & BRAINS IN CHILE
Honest selves @ Hosford
“The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self.” –Fred Rogers NW Noggin outreach volunteers at Hosford Middle School, Portland Public Schools… LEARN MORE: Brain Hacking is Electric! Did you know that we, the public, spend close to $40 billion annually on efforts to better understand and treat pressing medical needs,…
Making our own boxes, and brains!
Post by Michael Deveney, Noggin volunteer from Portland State University “The most interesting people you’ll find are ones that don’t fit into your average cardboard box. They’ll make what they need, they’ll make their own boxes” –Dr. Temple Grandin I spent my Valentine’s Day with students at Bridges Middle School, one…
Carry on my wayward son
What do zombies have to do with neuroscience? What might vampires teach us about addiction? How does the repeated trauma of losing family members, friends – and werewolf lovers – impact our hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and our hippocampus? And why hasn’t the Hippocamp made an appearance on the show? (or am…
Synaptic Community Connections
“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” – Seneca We love hitting the road with our 3D printed brain models, BioGift-ed brains, pipe cleaners, extensive collection of animal brains and beetle-scoured skulls – and some of the most knowledgeable, enthusiastic graduate and undergraduate students inspired by learning…
A Tale (Tail?) of Two Neurons
Post by Scott Atkins, undergraduate in Perception course at Portland State University “Dad, you’re thinking about it too much! Just read the story,” she said. Or at least, she seemed to say (she’s only two, after all). But my daughter was right. While reading a book about wildly fantastic creatures,…
Auras & Axons @ AMWA!
The American Medical Women’s Association is a century old organization serving “to advance women in medicine and improve women’s health…by providing and developing leadership, advocacy, education, expertise, mentoring, and strategic alliances…” LEARN MORE: American Medical Women’s Association “A woman’s health is her capital.” –Harriet Beecher Stowe We LOVE collaborating with…
Community Neuroscience: Interview with Dana!
NW Noggin is honored to be a Brain Awareness Week partner of the Dana Foundation, a leading philanthropic organization that supports brain research through grants, publications and educational programs. We share their enthusiasm for active outreach, and their commitment to educating the public about the potential of research… “I tell my students, ‘When…
The World Inside Their Heads
Post by Camden Howard, undergraduate in Psychology at Portland State University. Photos and editing contributions by Bill Griesar. Cam introduces Mac students to a human brain from BioGift NW Noggin traveled across the Columbia River this week to visit with students and families at “the Mac” – a.k.a., McLoughlin Middle…
All is in motion, is growing, is you
“Remember you are all people and all people are you. Remember you are this universe and this universe is you. Remember all is in motion, is growing, is you.” –Joy Harjo, from “Remember” Our NW Noggin volunteers eagerly returned to meet with young people incarcerated at the MacLaren Youth Correctional…
Best brain scientists!
Post by Raeleen Gilman, Science Teacher at Skyridge Middle School in the Camas School District. NW Noggin volunteers (including a former Skyridge graduate!) have brought brains and art to classrooms here since 2014! Just last week Robby Heiberg, Darrin Lane, Aaron Eisen and Greyson Moore from Psychology at Portland State…
What is outreach like?
“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.” ―Maya Angelou
Our Northwest Noggin undergraduate and graduate outreach volunteers are enthusiastic and informed, and regularly let knowledge serve by going places, making art, exploring brain research, sharing stories and listening to community questions and interests in urban and rural K-12 public schools, coffee shops, museums, correctional facilities, houseless youth nonprofits, research conferences, Congress and more! LEARN MORE @ What is outreach like?.