The regional branch campus of Washington State University…
Are you intrigued by opportunities to do more than memorize rote “elevator pitches?” Want to skip the lectures on “professional science communication” from those who rarely leave their lab, faculty meeting or expensive paywalled conference?
Want to go places (online too!), learn from others, and integrate both neuroscience research and the arts in genuine, innovative, collaborative outreach in your own community?
How do I get involved..?
NW Noggin is actively engaged in STEAM (STEM + Arts) outreach throughout the year.
Check out these links!
LEARN MORE: Noggin Bloggin
A regularly updated summary of our outreach visits and activities, with an emphasis on the science presented, and the arts projects designed to educate students and the public about research exploring the link between brain and behavior…
LEARN MORE: Calendar of Events
What’s next on our schedule? How can you get involved?
The chance to collaborate with graduate students and undergraduates from multiple area campuses to both design and then deliver instruction to K-12 students in public schools is an extraordinary educational experience…
You’ll gain confidence in your public speaking skills, you’ll learn about current efforts in graduate research, you’ll discover the power of art in conveying complex concepts in neuroscience and psychology, and you’ll know what it’s like to plan lessons and teach…
And you will help enthuse a new generation of scientists and artists, too!
Graduate students are also encouraged to present a public lecture on their own research. Many of these talks were originally held at Velo Cult, a former bicycle shop/event space/pub in NE Portland! We pair you with an art student, and you both get unique, useful experience introducing your work to the general public…
LEARN MORE: Noggin Talks: Free Art & Science
Check out some past presentations by area graduate students!
Feeling no pain @ Velo!
The Art & Science of Stress @ Velo
Velo Cult: A memorable crowd!
NW Noggin is active in the community throughout the year, and if you are interested in learning more, please contact our Resource Council Member for Communications Aaron Eisen (aaeisen.pdx@gmail.com) and Bill Griesar (griesar@nwnoggin.org) & Jeff Leake (jleake@nwnoggin.org) to confirm that you are on our list for upcoming events…
Thank you for your enthusiasm & Cheers!
More on WSUV
Several participants from WSU Vancouver have written posts about their experiences with NW Noggin. Check these out!
LEARN MORE: Christina Williams: Making Connections Through NW Noggin
LEARN MORE: Kim Engeln: Teaching thousands about the brain!
LEARN MORE: Joey Seuferling: Changing the world, one brain at a time
LEARN MORE: Ruth Marigomen: Curiosity’s Sky-High at Skyridge!
Our volunteers are welcome outreach visitors in many Vancouver area public schools, and engage in extensive arts-integrated science communication north of the Columbia River. ***However, we are NOT affiliated with WSU Vancouver.
WSUV Noggin student volunteers at Fort Vancouver High School…
Yet we strongly encourage Vancouver undergraduates and graduates to join us off campus! We even arranged (and paid for!) Cougar undergrads to join high profile Noggin efforts at the Society for Neuroscience conference in Washington DC!
Genuine learning, engagement and substance:
Cougar dissection with NW Noggin!
LEARN MORE: Adventure A-Head
MORE DETAILS: NW Noggin (Not part of WSU) | Washington State University
MORE DETAILS: About Us | NW Noggin (Not part of WSU) | Washington State University
NOTE: Bill Griesar taught in Psychology and Neuroscience at WSU Vancouver for 17 years, beginning in 2000. In 2015, he was tasked as outreach coordinator for Neuroscience, along with artist Jeff Leake, and they quickly expanded WSU participation in K-12 schools and the broader community. Bill and Jeff brought Cougar grad students, along with collaborating artists, in front of non-science audiences at Velo Cult, a bike shop and pub in Northeast Portland. Their efforts were profiled in the Columbian newspaper, and in a WSU publication NW Crimson & Gray. In spring of 2016, they were invited to bring 26 of their outreach volunteers from WSU, PSU, OHSU and PNCA to Washington DC to present brains in public schools, Congress, the Obama White House and at the Phillips Collection, where they organized a sold out Neuroscience Night! In October of 2016, Bill and Jeff were recognized for their innovative outreach model by the Obama White House – specifically for bringing together students from multiple institutions, and multiple academic disciplines, and connecting them with the broader community.
Jeff and Bill also created the first arts-integrated STEM class to pass the WSU system UCORE committee (Neuro 150: Art & Brain), which had maximum course enrollment (40) for two consecutive years, brought in more than a third of all new Neuroscience students, and influenced many to consider pursuing both neuroscience and art in Vancouver.
However, some highly paid administrators at WSU Vancouver did not value arts-integration, or an interdisciplinary approach, and they opposed efforts to highlight collaborative work involving students from other campuses.
We are so glad to be elsewhere! “Don’t wait for institutions, especially if they focus more on preserving administrative structures instead of fulfilling their mission.” We definitely learned that at WSU Vancouver.
LEARN MORE: Synapsing in San Diego @ SfN
During the White House Frontiers Conference for innovators, President Obama warned that innovation is often rejected by large institutions, which may decide that their primary mission is to preserve less effective, existing administrative structures, and focus on branding and marketing (e.g., money-making “#scitalk conferences” for insulated tenured faculty who mostly talk – to each other), and not real engagement or substance.
WSUV withdrew support for innovative, student-focused, multi-institutional, arts-integrated STEM outreach in spring of 2017.
However, it did offer an “outreach award” to an undergraduate football player – for court-mandated community service he completed to avoid a felony conviction for robbery!
LEARN MORE: Washington State Player Gets Community Service Award For Completing Court-Mandated Hours
LEARN MORE: WSU Makes “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me” on NPR
“I’m not going to school just for the academics – I wanted to share ideas, to be around people who are passionate about learning” –Emma Watson
We thoroughly respect, value and appreciate our innovative Vancouver student volunteers, who do genuine outreach, and genuine “science talk” (learn more here, here, and here) and encourage them to get involved in artfully communicating science through nwnoggin.org.
LEARN MORE: WSU Stand Up for Noggin 2017
LEARN MORE: BioGifting brains
FOR ALL OUTREACH PARTICIPANTS:
We are committed to creating and fostering a learning and working environment based on open communication and mutual respect. We have an extraordinarily diverse K-12 student population, and a diverse community of teachers as well. We expect volunteers to be respectful and welcoming of difference, including differences involving race, color, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, veteran or military status, sex, marital status, pregnancy or parenting status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. Inappropriate behavior is unacceptable, and will result in removal from NW Noggin activities…
Please help everyone feel valued as full, respected participants in our teaching and learning communities – this is key to successful outreach…