Brain Awareness Week will take place this year between March 10–16. Sponsored by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, the week’s activities are designed to “advance public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research.” The first Brain Awareness Week occurred in 1996, and has grown to include world-wide partners that include federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health, patient advocacy groups, universities, and K-12 schools.
Eric Chudler, University of Washington, has some great materials about Brain Awareness Week on his Neuroscience for Kids website (which is, incidentally, not just for kids). Classroom teachers can use Eric’s lesson plans, or submit their own to his contest. These materials are a great way to introduce the neurosciences to kids–wish I had experienced something like this in my own science classes (all I remember is a weeks-long pill bug unit). Eric’s site also lists activities for BAW that are being held around the world.
By BWA, I’ll be discussing psychopathology with my biological psychology class, but I’m going to check out the activities to see if we can add some pizzazz to the regular syllabus. I was particularly intrigued with the Dana Alliance’s page on Neuroethics.
7 Comments
rwest · January 31, 2008 at 12:10 pm
I’m sure the “pizzazz” will be greatly needed by week 10 before finals. But I find myself very interested in the brain functions having just completed the Neuro ID test. There’s something about knowing the names of the structures that makes me want to understand their functions as well. Thanks for the opportunity.
bblaine · February 5, 2008 at 6:50 pm
I am happy for the pizazz! I am not very fond of the specific brain functions. However, brain awareness week sounds interesting and I am ready to learn about things that I can apply to everyday functions.
aoneil · February 10, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I think brain awareness week will be very beneficial, and I don’t think we can start educating children soon enough about the brain- after all it is the foundation for human existence. I know I wish I could have learned about the brain earlier. I didn’t get the opportunity to really go into depth on the brain and its systems until Anatomy of my senior year of high school, and that was only because I opted to take the class as an elective.
aoneil · February 10, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I think brain awareness week will be very beneficial, and I don’t think we can start educating children soon enough about the brain- after all it is the foundation for human existence. I know I wish I could have learned about the brain earlier. I didn’t get the opportunity to really go into depth on the brain and its systems until Anatomy of my senior year of high school, and that was only because I opted to take the class as an elective.
rcrowley · February 12, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I would be weary of beginning education of neurosciences at an elementary level. Neuroscience and neuroanatomy are very complicated topics, if introduced so early, they may be watered down to the point that it becomes irrelevant. However, some things could be introduced, and I’m all for not spending weeks on pill bugs! Brains are not only important to understand, but interesting to study, because it relates to everyone. Overall, BAW is probably a good starting place.
And a little pizzazz at 9AM is always welcome.
amandam · March 11, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Learning about the brain and all it’s functions is very interesting to me. Many wonder what areas of our brain control/influence what, and through this biopsych class I have learned a lot about the brain. I always go around sharing with family and friends what I have learned. Brain Awareness Week is a great idea and I am glad to hear it will be integrated into K-8th grade. The Brain is something we use in our everyday life in all situations and it is something everyone should be educated on, especially at the elementary level.
ccallag · March 14, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I think bringing the brain awareness to k-8 schools would be great! It would be good exposure for younger children to start learning about the neuro-sciences. I think the subject would be interesting for alot of kids since the brain is so cool! Also it would be a good way to educate kids on the effects of drugs and alcohol on the brain. The earlier we can educate children about their bodies the better!
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