Brain Awareness Week is a concept developed by the Dana Foundation. Here is the description of their goal for Brain Awareness Week, according to their website:
Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is the global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. Every March, Brain Awareness Week unites the efforts of partner organizations worldwide in a celebration of the brain for people of all ages. Activities are limited only by the organizers’ imaginations and include open days at neuroscience labs; exhibitions about the brain; lectures on brain-related topics; social media campaigns; displays at libraries and community centers; classroom workshops; and more.
Check out Brain Awareness Week’s calendar of events for places you can go and things you can do to help support their cause and enable brain research progress. Locally in North Carolina, here are a few of the specific functions and events coming up for brain awareness they list that seem like they would be fun to attend:
Brain Awareness Week at the Museum of Life and Science – March 17 – 22 – Durham, NC
Celebrate Brain Awareness Week in the Lab! Enjoy hands-on activities exploring brain sciences, our senses, and brain anatomy led by scientists and researchers. Meet experts from Duke University’s Institute for Brain Sciences on Saturday, March 21.
Brain Awareness Week at Duke University – March 15 – 22 – Durham, NC
Brain Awareness Week is a global campaign for increasing public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research. During this week, students and the community will learn how fascinating the brain is through interactive events put together by scientists, teachers, students and service organizations. You can expect captivating presentations about fascinating aspects of the brain by a scientist in a casual setting and fun family-friendly hands-on demonstrations and activities, as well as laboratory tours for an inside look into where brain research happens. All events are open to the public, and audiences of any level of expertise are welcome.
Brain Awareness Day at the SciWorks! – March 18 – Winston Salem, NC
Brain Awareness at SciWorks is sponsored by local companies and held in an area interactive museum. Students from high-poverty high- and middle-schools take field trips to SciWorks for this specific event. Graduate students from Wake Forest University hold over one dozen stations showcasing brain-related items such as real human and animal brains, the components of a neuron and building one out of pipe cleaners, as well as the mechanisms underlying various sensory systems.
We hope you do something this week to help promote awareness for brain research. If you want a way to make a donation, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation in Asheville, NC is a good local cause and well deserving of your charitable contribution. You can check out their charity rating here. If you want to make a donation to PBTF, click here.