Brain Awareness Week at the Society for Neuroscience

The Society for Neuroscience has a nice page up for Brain Awareness Week.

What is Brain Awareness Week? 

Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is an inspirational global campaign that unites those who share an interest in elevating public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain and nervous system research.

BAW focuses international attention on the field of neuroscience and offers opportunities for teachers and students to engage in fun educational activities. From dynamic classroom presentations and laboratory tours to enlightening museum exhibits and public lectures, BAW activities...

• Inspire the next generation of scientists  
• Contribute to general understanding of basic brain functions
• Improve public health by expanding awareness of neurological disorders
• Make the connection between increased support for biomedical research and benefits to public health

While BAW takes place each year in March, neuroscience education and outreach is encouraged year-round. Navigate SfN's resources to learn more about the campaign and to assist in the planning of a new activity.

• Find a scientist willing to share neuroscience with your students using our Neuroscientist-Teacher Partnership Program
• Search NERVE for information and tools for teaching about the nervous system, targeted to grades K-12
  
• Download Brain Facts, SfN's basic primer on the brain and nervous system, or contact BAW@SfN.org to request a class set of books and CDs 
• Read our Neuromyth Busters (PDF), which explains the truth behind common misconceptions about the brain.
• Check out SfN's Neuroscience Core Concepts, which breaks basic neuroscience down into facts correlated to the National Science Education Standards
• Learn about other interesting neuroscience topics with our other publications - Brain Briefings, Brain Research Success Stories, and Research & Discoveries - written for neuroscience educators.

SfN proudly partners with The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives who launched BAW in 1996. The worldwide coalition of BAW partners now includes more than 2,000 universities, K-12 schools, hospitals, patient groups, museums, government agencies, service organizations, and professional associations.

Brain Awareness Week News

Congratulations to Participants of 2011 International Brain Bee

Thanh-Liem Huyuh-Tran of California led the U.S. to victory at the International Brain Bee on July 16 during the 8th annual International Brain Research Organization World Congress of Neuroscience in Florence, Italy. SfN is a proud supporter of the International Brain Bee, sponsoring a neuroscience internship among other prizes. Congratulations to all contestants across the globe, including Ben Thompson of Australia (2nd place) and Kyeong Rok Choi of Korea (3rd place). Special thanks to all Brain Bee coordinators for their time, effort, and dedication to neuroscience education. Look for your chance to get involved during next year’s Brain Bee.

BAW Video Contest Update

Thanks to all of the budding neuroscience film stars and directors, SfN received dozens of submissions for the first Brain Awareness Video Contest. Watch for the chance to vote for your favorite video in the People’s Choice Awards, coming later this summer.

Start a Student-Directed Outreach Program

Check out University of Washington's Neurobiology & Behavior Community Outreach program led by graduate students. Year-round, they share their knowledge and experience in neuroscience with students at all levels - from elementary through adult education. Have a question about the brain? Ask them at The Brain Question Web site and get a free answer in words that you can understand.

2011 National Science Olympiad

Congratulations to the National Science Olympiad champions (Division C) from Solon High School in Ohio. Starting at the regional level, the Olympiad culminated in a national tournament where 120 of the country's best Science Olympiad teams, representing more than 2,000 students, competed in 25 events. SfN helps sponsor the competition, and winners will present their work and attend the 2011 SfN Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

More News

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Sign up for the Brain Awareness Week Mailing List
Download Brain Awareness Headlines (PDF)
Photo Gallery
Mark your calender for future BAW dates:

March 11-17, 2013
Contact Us: baw@sfn.org or (202) 962-4000

Dana Resources

As the Brain Awareness Week headquarters, the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives offers a wide range of advice and activity resources to bring to classrooms. 

• See what's going on around the world with the International BAW Calendar.
• Get a step-by-step guide to planning a BAW program.
• Find games and puzzles to use with younger students.
• Download the offical BAW logo.