FSU Brain Awareness Week Program

Brain Awareness Week (BAW) was founded by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives (http://www.dana.org/brainweek) and its sister organization, the European Dana Alliance for the Brain. It is an international campaign to advance public understanding of brain research. Over the past 14 years BAW, the Dana Alliance has been joined by partners from around the world, including universities, hospitals, patient groups, government agencies, schools, service organizations, and professional associations to introduce the wonders of the brain to the general public. 

At Florida State University, The Neuroscience Graduate Student Association participates in Brain Awareness Week by bringing hands on brain-related demonstrations to local elementary, middle and high schools in the Tallahassee, Florida area.

This year BAW is March 16-22, 2009.

If you are interested in participating in BAW or would like the Neuroscience Graduate Student Association to visit your classroom during BAW, please contact Melissa Maffeo (maffeo@neuro.fsu.edu) or Kyle Gobrogge (gobrogge@neuro.fsu.edu).

History

The North Florida Neuroscience Group re-activated its chapter in 2004. Since then, the Program in Neuroscience at FSU has developed several community brain awareness activities. The Community Neuroscience Education Committee (CNEC) at FSU was established to engage in public outreach activities including an annual Brain Awareness Week, North Florida Brain Bee, and various Student Research Mentoring Programs. At a state level, CNEC is also an active member of the Florida Brain Awareness Development Group. This committee is designed to enhance community brain awareness in Florida through service learning activities including a statewide interactive Neuroscience exhibit, Kids Neuroscience Judge Fair, and Neuroanatomy course development.

CNEC's mission is to enhance local community knowledge about brain research with a direct goal of promoting public neuroscience education. To this end, CNEC is committed to both academic and civic responsibility through three primary aims:

1. Educate local and statewide K-12 students about the importance of brain research.
2. Encourage K-12 educators to incorporate neuroscience curriclium into their classroom.
3. Train and inspire talented high scholi/clilege students to pursue Neuroscience careers.

Funding for CNEC comes from the Society for Neuroscience Membership and Chapters Grant Program, FSU Neuroscience Program, Fundraising, and Private Donations.

For more information please read CNEC's annual activity reports on the SFN website:

• http://www.sfn.org/baw/bawreport2005/displayReport.cfm?ID=66
• http://www.sfn.org/baw/bawreport2006/displayReport.cfm?ID=131
• http://www.sfn.org/baw/bawreport2007/displayReport.cfm?ID=156