Inspiring Year-Round Brain Awareness
The human brain is the most complex biological structure in the known universe. Its roughly 86 billion nerve cells power all our thoughts, perceptions, memories, emotions, and actions. Every March, SfN members from around the world come together to celebrate their passion for this amazing structure during Brain Awareness Week.
Brain Awareness Week is part of the Brain Awareness Campaign, a year-round effort for brain awareness activities. Launched by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, the campaign is a celebration of the ongoing work to advance public awareness and education about the progress and promise of brain research.
SfN has many resources to help members inspire the public and students alike to learn more about neuroscience.
- BrainFacts.org: A public information initiative founded through a partnership between The Kavli Foundation, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, and SfN, BrainFacts.org helps the public to know their brain so they can know themselves. Visit the For Educators section for articles and lesson plans on the brain and nervous system to use both inside and outside the classroom. Interact with the 3D brain model to locate and learn about specific regions of the brain in three-dimensional space.
- How to Get Involved: With examples from previous successful projects and a list of tips and resources, these tools provide everything one needs for organizing and hosting events both during and outside of Brain Awareness Week.
- Stories from SfN members: Explore articles, videos and Q&As about SfN members’ Brain Awareness Week projects on Neuronline, SfN’s online home for learning and discussion. Or read stories about how scientists do outreach around the globe to find inspiration for events closer to home.
- Find a Neuroscientist (FaN): By signing up for FaN, SfN members agree to have their contact information appear on a database of SfN members interested in education outreach, and are volunteering to be contacted by interested teachers, students, or community groups nearby. Researchers around the world are encouraged to sign up.
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Brain Awareness Video Contest: Share the love of neuroscience by producing an educational video five minutes or less about the brain for the chance to win a trip to Neuroscience 2019 and other cash prizes. Whether it is an animation, song, or skit, share the wonders of neuroscience through the Brain Awareness Video Contest.
- SfN Local Chapters: Find a local SfN chapter and work with other members to create outreach initiatives. Chapters are also encouraged to apply for funding for their projects through SfN chapter grants and awards. No chapter in your area? Start or reactivate one today.
Share photos of brain awareness outreach activities from throughout the year by emailing high-resolution photos and captions to baw@sfn.org or by tweeting them to @SfNtweets or @Brain_Facts_org with the hashtags #BAW or #BrainWeek.
