Where is NW Noggin?
Our innovative graduate and undergraduate art and neuroscience volunteers are Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) Juice award-winning developing experts in science communication, synapsing for science, and teaching in schools, theaters, museums, urban and rural communities, homeless youth centers, breweries, correctional facilities, Congress and bike shop pubs! For more information see NOGGIN BLOGGIN.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.
DONATE HERE!
LEARN MORE: Community Neuroscience: How to Build an Outreach Organization
NW Noggin: Art + Brains
Trapper Keeper!
Why do we throw up?
La Alegría de la Ciencia
Join us in Chile in 2025!
Please join us SUMMER 2025 in Valparaíso, Chile - the home of the Humboldt squid! 🦑⚡️🧠🎨😃 We'll explore how neurons carry information, and how research in Chile (involving the squid’s giant fused axons) led to 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 research at the Universidad de Chile en Valparaíso, make art (including arpilleras, woven depictions of experience that help people express challenging memories and preserve them for accountability), and contribute to community engagement through Ciencia al Tiro, a local STEAM (STEM + Arts) outreach nonprofit. We may even create a public mural celebrating famed neurology patient Phineas Gage, who lived for several years after his infamous accident - and drove a stagecoach - in the city of Valpo!
LEARN MORE: LAS NEURONAS SON BACANES.
A Scientific Journey: The Value of Subjective Data
Post by Savanah Gipson, undergraduate in Psychology pursuing a minor in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience and in Biology at Portland State University. Savanah has been working in Dr. Tori Crain’s RESET lab at PSU. When you hear the words “scientific research”, what image comes to mind? Smoking test tubes, squeaking rats, whirring machines, and unending lists of…
Research & Practice: The Human Element
Post by Brittani Wallsten, undergraduate in Psychology pursuing a minor in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience at Portland State University. Brittani has been working in Dr. Barb Sorg’s lab at Legacy Research Institute. READ MY FIRST POST: To the Lab! While working at the lab, I maintained my other job at a mental health treatment home. This wasn’t ideal because I’ve worked 50+…
To the Lab!
Post by Brittani Wallsten, undergraduate in Psychology pursuing a minor in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience at Portland State University. Brittani has been working in Dr. Barb Sorg’s lab at Legacy Research Institute. As I’m sure many of you can relate, I am fascinated by the brain. It’s so interesting to me that…
Roundhouse Receptors!
We are thrilled to announce that we have a grant from the Roundhouse Foundation! The Roundhouse Foundation, based in Sisters, Oregon, supports “programs that inspire creativity and connect people with each other and their sense of place to ensure sustainability and economic success for Oregon’s rural communities.” LEARN MORE: Roundhouse…
Brains Beyond SfN
The last time we traveled to San Diego for the annual Society for Neuroscience conference, we gave the 2018 keynote address on brain awareness, and joined a panel discussion on neuroscience outreach. We heard from representatives of resource-rich institutions who talked about their well-staffed offices, expert-judged Brain Bees and annual…
Observing Art & Brains @ SfN
We’re in California! We spent two days driving 1000+ miles south over mountain passes and deserts to palm trees and sun, to join enthusiastic outreach volunteers at the annual Society for Neuroscience (SfN) conference! Huge thanks to Jill and Michael in Grants Pass, Oregon and Theresa and Billy in Pleasanton,…
Billions of Brain Cells
Post by Brooke Searle, undergraduate in Psychology pursuing an Interdisciplinary Neuroscience minor at Portland State University. What many of us find fascinating about neuroscience is this idea of neuroplasticity – that our brains can be changed over time. What that means to me is: whatever struggles a person is going…
Neuroscience for Oregon Youth!
We were thrilled to join Tara Subramaniam from Lincoln High School and Catherine Zhang at the Oregon Episcopal School this fall for the second annual Oregon Youth Neuroscience Conference! Tara and Catherine organized this event at a gorgeously renovated Lincoln High School, inviting Dr. Bonnie Nagel and Dr. Joseph Quinn…
How to embroider your brain cell
It’s TextileX Month in Portland, Oregon, and artists sewed, embroidered, arranged and organized fantastic, compelling installations across the City of Roses. The theme was regeneration, something that – given the right environment – our brain cells and noggins are known to do. We were thrilled to join celebrated artist and…
Brains, The Beatles, Television & Art
What a great start to fall term! And what a joy to teach where where art matters, interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged, and people appreciate brains, art and students going places to listen, learn and collaborate with others! IT WASN’T ALWAYS THIS WAY (#gowhereyouarevalued) 🥴: BioGifting Brains Let Knowledge Serve This…
Synapsing in San Diego
“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 AMAZING volunteers organized the largest all ages Art & Neuroscience Festival in the Pacific Northwest! We offered live bands, science-inspired art, neuroscience research presentations, and the chance to ask questions and examine real brains! The fifth annual Noggin Fest helped send more young scientists and artists to the Society for Neuroscience conference in San Diego - and into San Diego Unified Public Schools! LEARN MORE @ Brains Beyond SfN!.