It’s always incredible to see that level of focus and attention, even in large groups, and we sat there for several minutes before tentatively asking “should we begin?”Ī teacher laughed and told us they were just enjoying a few minutes of silence – because it was so unusual! There is something, we suggested, about the novelty of the experience, with brains and art and opportunities for kids to share their own observations, knowledge and questions, that gets almost everyone focused, engaged and eager to contribute and share! When 75 4th graders streamed into the art room at 8:45am, they settled in quietly, fixated on our colorful 3D printed noggins, pipe cleaner brain cells, real specimens and undergraduate volunteers. Brenda was a former student from neuroscience classes we once taught at the nearby branch campus of Washington State University! It turns out that Brenda’s husband was also one of our former students, and both now plan to volunteer with Northwest Noggin! GROWING IN NETWORKS for real.īrenda made us feel very welcome, offering all day coffee and snacks to fuel our volunteers! Novelty, attention and the brain We were joined by dynamic volunteers from Portland State University, many pursuing a minor in interdisciplinary neuroscience! Julian Rodriguez, Jadyn Harris, Allonte Barakat, Bradley Marxmiller and Mina Sattari spent a busy day sharing their own experiences and stories from undergraduate classrooms and research labs with future neuroscientists and artists in Vancouver Public Schools!īrenda Starr, the Family Community Resource Coordinator at Sacajawea, was an unexpectedly familiar face. MAKING BRAIN CELLS: Pipe Cleaner Brain Cells!

LEARN MORE: Sacagawea (from the Oregon Encyclopedia) Let Knowledge Serve LEARN MORE: Sacagawea (from the National Women’s History Museum) LEARN MORE: NW Noggin Sacajawea Elementary School This week our intrepid Northwest Noggin volunteers crossed the mighty Columbia River for an energetic day at Sacajawea Elementary School in Vancouver, Washington to meet with over 400 curious 1st through 5th graders and consider their questions, share research and insights about noggins, craft new neurons and even touch a human brain!

How do neurons send electrical messages?.

How many neurons in the human brain