Neuroscience Education (NeuroEd) focuses on educational outreach, with a special focus on the student. The majority of programs are organized during Brain Awareness Week, but the aim is for sustainable, long-term programs with two goals in mind: 1) to teach students about brain function and brain diseases and disorders, and 2) to inspire an interest in students to become the next generation of neuroscientists. By linking scientists with students and organizing partnerships within local communities, participants contribute their own expertise. Schools provide the audience; museums, libraries, or hospitals might provide a venue; and academic research centers provide the science and the scientists.
Participants organize their own programs at their own expense. The variety of programs depends upon your imagination and your time. Examples range from bringing scientists into classrooms, taking students into labs, lectures at schools or hospitals, museum events, science fairs, introducing teachers to new curricula on the brain, and virtual classrooms. To participate, university departments or academic research center affiliates should complete a New Partner Registration Form, found online at http://www.dana.org/brainweek.
The Brain Awareness Week campaign is coordinated by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives. For more information about NeuroEd or Brain Awareness Week, please contact Karen Graham at (202) 408-8800 or e-mail kgraham@dana.org.
