Every March, members of the Tulane neuroscience community join neuroscientists from around the country to celebrate Brain Awareness Week (BAW). The National Society for Neuroscience describes BAW as: “an inspirational global campaign that unites those who share an interest in elevating public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain and nervous system research.” During previous BAWs, Tulane neuroscientists have helped spread the word about neuroscience by hosting a series of events such as informational sessions for Tulane students about the neuroscience major, graduate school, and careers in neuroscience; held fun events like movie night, trivia night, free IQ testing, and free food (smoothies, desserts, pizza, pasta, etc.); sponsored seminars by visiting neuroscientists; and worked with other New Orleans neuroscientists to bring BAW to the New Orleans Children’s Museum and Children's Library. Some of these outreach activities are carried out at times other than during BAW, as Tulane neuroscientists go to the local schools to talk about neuroscience, bring students to campus during summer sessions, participate in Tulane's Girls in STEM (GIST) and Boys at Tulane in STEM (BATS), and lead tours of the neuroscience teaching laboratory to visiting high school science classes and Tulane visitors and alumni.
