Bringing Brain Awareness to Video
SfN is hosting the Brain Awareness Video Contest (BAVC) for the fourth year, inviting people from around the world to work with SfN members to produce short, educational videos about the wonders of the brain. The films are evaluated by a panel of scientists for creativity and accuracy, and winners will travel to this year’s annual meeting in Washington, DC.
Travis Grenier, last year’s contest winner, said making a video is easier than it may sound at first. “Grab someone, set up a camera, and shoot. What do you have to lose?” he said. “And if you win, you get an amazing opportunity to attend the annual meeting.”
When Grenier heard about the contest from a former teacher, he immediately decided to focus his film on congenital anosmia, a rare condition he was born with that results in the inability to smell. “The entire video only took about a week to produce,” Grenier said. “If you have an idea you should just go for it. I was contemplating not entering, and in the end I’m glad I did.”
In addition to the opportunity to inform more people about his rare condition, Grenier was awarded a trip to attend the SfN annual meeting. “There’s so much to do you can’t even fit everything in,” said Grenier, adding that the highlight of his experience at Neuroscience 2013 was the Dialogues Between Neuroscience and Society lecture featuring President of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios Ed Catmull. “It was inspirational,” he said.
SfN will accept entries through BrainFacts.org until June 12. The first place winner will receive $1,000 plus travel, two nights lodging, and registration for one person to attend Neuroscience 2014 in Washington, DC. For contest rules and eligibility requirements, visit the BAVC rules and guidelines page.
