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Brain Awareness Week 2015

16th Annual Brain Awareness Week at the National Museum of Health and Medicine. March 16-20, 2015

Table of Contents:

Photos from 2015 Brain Awareness Week at NMHM

Introduction

Since 2000, the National Museum of Health and Medicine has been proud to host Brain Awareness Week.

National Brain Awareness Week programs were first established by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives (Dana) in 1996, linking scientists, clinicians, journalists, and other educators (all “partners in education”) in an annual effort to raise public awareness about the brain and brain science.

In 2000, Dana joined forces with NMHM to develop a program designed especially for middle school students. The program has helped to instill a sense of excitement of science, while bringing awareness and understanding of current research and its translation into clinical practice to our young audience.

Our greatest hope is that Brain Awareness Week will inspire a new generation of scientists.

What happens during Brain Awareness Week?

During Brain Awareness Week, the Museum hosts our "Partners in Education" (see below) who engage visiting students (grades 5-8) with hands-on stations, with a focus on brain anatomy and topics related to neuroscience. Each day will include two sessions (morning and afternoon), and students will rotate in small groups through the stations. A plenary address before each session will introduce brain anatomy and offer other highlights to our budding neuroscientists.

BAW News Releases

Past Partners in Education

Traumatic Brain Injury Exhibit at NMHM

In May 2012, NMHM opened a new exhibit that features traumatic brain injuries. The installation showcases actual human brain specimens that demonstrate a variety of brain injuries, including hemorrhages, blunt force trauma and bullet wounds. Many of the specimens included in the exhibit have never been on display. Also included in the exhibit are medical and surgical tools used to diagnose and treat TBIs, and devices such as video games and acupuncture needles used in rehabilitating of patients with brain injuries. The TBI exhibit is expected to be on display at least through 2013.

Selections from the Neuroanatomical Collections of the National Museum of Health and Medicine

The Neuroanatomical Collections is a repository of research and educational materials in neuroscience established in 1993 with the transfer of the Yakovlev-Haleem Collection to the National Museum of Health and Medicine. The division has since acquired eight more collections and continues to expand. The Museum partners in the management of www.brainmuseum.org, the online home of the Comparative Mammalian Brain Collection. This collaboration includes the University of Wisconsin, Michigan State University, and the National Museum of Health and Medicine. Today, all collections are curated at the NMHM. Brainmuseum.org offers images and information from one of the world's largest collections of well-preserved, sectioned and stained brains of mammals. Viewers can see and download photographs of brains of over 100 different species of mammals (including humans) representing over 20 mammalian orders. BrainMuseum.org was funded by the National Science Foundation, as well as by the National Institutes of Health.

Resources

This Web site provides an introduction to the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) and contains official Government information.
Its use is intended for members of the general public, news media and Army Medical Department beneficiaries.

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