BRAIN AWARENESS WEEK AT MALCOLM X ELEMENTARY SCHOOL; DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MAYOR WILLIAMS SIGNS PROCLAMATION
For immediate release.
NR-05-03 (sent 3/5/03). For more information, please call Joe Carey at 202-745-5138.
BRAIN AWARENESS WEEK AT MALCOLM X ELEMENTARY SCHOOL; DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MAYOR WILLIAMS SIGNS PROCLAMATION
WASHINGTON, DC March 5, 2003 — Brain Awareness Week, which elevates public awareness and creates interest in brain and nervous system research, takes place next week at classrooms, laboratories and lecture halls across the nation.
A major event will occur at Malcolm X Elementary School in Washington, DC when students will engage in brain education projects. They will hear a talk on March 10 about drugs and the brain by Huda Akil, PhD, president of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), a co-sponsor of the Brain Awareness Week (BAW) with the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives.
Mayor Anthony Williams has signed a proclamation designating March 10-16 as Brain Awareness Week in Washington, DC. He asks residents to “join in observing this week to enhance public awareness of the groundbreaking advances being made in neuroscience research.” Williams has been invited to participate in the Malcolm X Elementary School activities.
The March 10 event follows a week of BAW student projects — posters, poems, essays and models of the brain and nervous system — organized by Malcolm X teachers. From 10 am to noon on March 10, groups of fourth, fifth and sixth graders will hear Akil speak about drugs. Hands-on sessions with brain tissue will be conducted by Paul Aravich, PhD, of the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. After the sessions, an assembly will include awards for the best projects and certificates of appreciation for students and teachers.
“This groundbreaking project will enhance as well as educate our students about the magnificent brain,” says Malcolm X Principal Vaughn Kimbrough. “This experience will allow students to think about neuroscience as a career and encourage them to seek careers in this field.”
Reporters interested in attending should call Joe Carey, senior director, communications and public affairs, Society for Neuroscience, at 202-745-5138 prior to March 10. He will tell you where to meet at Malcolm X and arrange interviews and photography.
BAW involves more than 1,200 scientists, patient advocates, and members of health care organizations. They organize educational events emphasizing the importance of basic neuroscience research to the health and well-being of the American public. Activities during the week of March 10-16 include classroom visits, laboratory tours, lectures and exhibits. This year’s events will be the eighth annual BAW.
The Society for Neuroscience, with more than 31,000 members, is the world’s largest organization of basic researchers and clinicians who study the brain and nervous system. For more information about the Brain Awareness Week events please visit the Society for Neuroscience Brain Awareness Week Web page and the Dana Alliance page.
