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
An axe to the head
“You get me!” @ Creative Science
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
2014 summer outreach complete!
This summer our NW Noggin graduate and undergraduate students from OHSU, PSU, WSUV and PNCA were very busy, both in the lab, in the classroom, in the art studio – and in the community! They were busy collaborating with each other, and learning from each other – and together, 35 of…
NW Noggin on VIDEO
In May (2014) our talented program participants (and PSU undergraduates) Lindsay Craver and Michael Miller debuted their brand new video about NW Noggin at Velo Cult in NE Portland. Watch and enjoy! All About NW Noggin It was part of a “Bikes, brains and beer” event that raised money for…
WSU-V once supported student participation in NW Noggin
The College of Arts and Sciences at WSU-V is making stipends available for undergraduate participation in neuroscience outreach this summer! In addition, they awarded us $2775 to purchase five, well-stocked “outreach kits,” complete with brain models, spiker boxes, dissection kits, art supplies..! Go Cougars! Ahhh…but see what happens later when…
NW Noggin awarded PARC grant!
NW Noggin received five, $750 travel grants from the Portland Alcohol Research Center (PARC) at OHSU to encourage graduate participation in summer outreach! There is another $1250 available in PARC support for outreach materials and supplies… FOR OHSU GRADUATE STUDENTS… We have two remaining $750 Portland Alcohol Research Center (PARC) travel…
NW Noggin wins RACC grant!
NW Noggin was just awarded a Regional Arts & Culture Council grant to support participation by art students from PNCA, PSU and WSU-V in summer 2014 outreach efforts! This will allow us to better support art students who collaborate with science graduates and undergraduates in developing art activities aimed at…
SUMMER 2014 OUTREACH: Join us!
NW Noggin is looking for aspiring science teachers and those interested in communicating with the public about discovery in neuroscience to help develop and teach summer school programs in PPS. Find out how to participate as a PSU, WSU-V, OHSU, or PNCA graduate or undergraduate by clicking on the…
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?.