Brief: Outreach Group Spreads Love of Science in the Nation’s Capital

With the goal of sharing the joy of science with the world, over two dozen volunteers from the Northwest Neuroscience Outreach Group (Growing in Networks), or NW NOGGIN, came to Washington, DC, recently for a week of outreach and education.

During two briefings on Capitol Hill, Neuroscience Coordinator Bill Griesar and Arts Coordinator Jeff Leake described how NW NOGGIN brings neuroscience students and early career scientists together for events that aim to excite K-12 students and the public about the brain.

Congressional Neuroscience Caucus Chair Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Congressional Science, Technology, Education, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM) Caucus Chair Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) also spoke enthusiastically about the importance of education and neuroscience research, and they praised NW NOGGIN for its effective work in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Attendees asked questions and participated in activities including examining human brains, learning the functions of each part of the brain via a computer program, and making pipe cleaner neuron models.

The briefing was sponsored by NW NOGGIN, the American Brain Coalition, WSU Vancouver, Portland State University, OHSU, the Phillips Collection, and the Portland Art Museum, the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus, and the Congressional STEAM Caucus.

NW NOGGIN attended several other events in the DC area, including at the White House and NIH. Visit NW NOGGIN’s website for more pictures and descriptions of all of the events.

About the Author

Brittany Meyer

Brittany Meyer is the Society for Neuroscience’s Federal Advocacy Manager. She combines her love of policy and science to push for favorable laws and regulations for neuroscience research.

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American Brain Coalition