FIFTH ANNUAL BRAIN WEEK RHODE ISLAND
Informative, Educational, Thought-Provoking Events for All Ages
Continues during Global Campaign to Increase Awareness of
Brain Health and Brain Science
Providence, RI ⎯ Brain Week Rhode Island (brainweekri) celebrates a milestone fifth year, March 14-22, 2020 with events in multiple locations in Rhode Island. Since its inception in 2016, Brain Week Rhode Island has attracted thousands of parents, children, educators and medical professionals to an inviting schedule of interactive brain-themed events for all ages, as well as cerebrally stimulating panels and presentations on the most current brain research. Most events are free of charge. The program also features “BRAINY” classroom sessions in high schools and middle schools designed to inspire young people to consider science as a profession.
The goal of Brain Week Rhode Island is to share with the community the ever-increasing knowledge of the brain and to highlight the wealth of neuroscience research happening in the Ocean State. The event brings together specialists in many fields to make brain science and brain health accessible for everyone.
Victoria Heimer-McGinn, PhD, Chair of Brain Week Rhode Island and assistant professor in neuroscience at Roger Williams University said, “We are thrilled to welcome back many previous and many new participants in this exciting fifth year. There is so much exciting and cutting-edge brain science taking place right in our state and a growing public interest in the most remarkable computing device known to date: the human brain.” She continued, “People want to know just how everything we do, feel, and perceive – from dreams to our poor life decisions – reside in the brain. It’s no surprise that in only five years we have experienced substantial growth in terms of our audiences, supporters and collaborators.”
Activities during Brain Week RI include creative learning opportunities, expert panels, workshops, a film screening, dance for the aging and movement challenged, a “Moth-like” story telling event, an art show, and two brain fairs with interactive science exhibits at URI and Brown University and a new Brain Fest on Smith Hill. Topics range from the basic science of just how the most complex object in the known universe works, to how Artificial Intelligence technology is impacting research and human lives, to fear and trauma, brain health, and the psychology of evil.
Brain Week also features an inventive and inspiring educational outreach program, “BRAINY School Visits.” Neuroscientists from Brown University and Roger Williams University will visit PK-12 classrooms in Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket and Bristol to inspire the next generation of brain scientists. Demos will feature real human brains and other interactive learning activities, sometimes in Spanish as well as English.
Most Brain Week RI events are free and open to the public. Advance reservations are strongly advised where available. For a full schedule of Brain Week events (in progress) and to reserve event tickets, visit brainweekri.org and/or facebook.com\brainweekri :
Brain Week RI is a communal effort, organized and spearheaded by Cure Alliance for Mental Illness with sponsors/partners including Brown University’s Carney Institute for Brain Science; the Ryan Institute at University of Rhode Island; The Association of Migraine Disorders; The Providence Veterans Administration Medical Center; the Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute; and Neurology and the Memory and Aging Program, Butler Hospital.
Highlights during the week include:
- Brain Fairs, URI and Brown University, with more than 20 labs, organizations, and institutes who give you a glimpse of their research using interactive games and fun demonstrations. Each year, the fairs has been attended by over 600 people. Voted “Event of the Year” from the Brown Student Activities Office.
- Discussions focused on AI technology, how it is impacting research and human lives; and a screening of the film, “Ex Machina,” with a panel entitled, “Can Robots Fall in Love?”
- Workshops and panels that explore brain health, especially as one ages, including a workshop on mindfulness.
- Discussions on the biological effects and how to overcome fear and trauma.
- The annual art exhibit, “Through Our Eyes ,“ highlights the creativity and talent of people on the autism spectrum.
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About Cure Alliance for Mental Illness: Cure Alliance for Mental Illness is a social activist network for mental illness research. Our mission is to unite the energies of patients, families, clinicians, scientists, and mental illness organizations to:
- Educate the public and policymakers about mental illnesses as brain disorders
- Advocate for scientific research to understand mental illnesses
- Work toward safe, effective treatments for those suffering from mental illnesses curealliance.org
About Carney Institute for Brain Science: The Carney Institute for Brain Science at Brown University advances multidisciplinary research, technology development, and training in the brain sciences and works to establish Brown University as an internationally recognized leader in brain research. The institute unites more than 100 faculty from a diverse group of
departments at Brown, spanning basic and clinical departments, and physical and biological sciences. https://www.brown.edu/carney/
About the Ryan Institute for Neuroscience: The George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary research center focused on discovering and developing
disease-modifying therapies for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The Ryan Institute’s approach includes research into what triggers the atrophy and death of neural cells and systems in neurodegenerative disorders, converting scientific discoveries into therapies, and shepherding promising new therapies into clinical trials. ryaninstitute.uri.edu
About the VA RR&D Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology (CfNN): The VA CfNN began with a June 2012 funding award from the Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service. The Center is a collaboration between the Providence VA Medical Center, Brown University, Butler Hospital, Lifespan, and Massachusetts General Hospital. CfNN unifies distinguished researchers and clinicians to advance and translate neurotechnology to restore lost function. Through its three focus areas and three support cores, CfNN seeks to develop, test and implement new therapies and technologies that restore function for Veterans with disorders affecting the nervous system.
About the Association of Migraine Disorders: The Association of Migraine Disorders strives to expand the understanding of migraine and its true scope by supporting research, education, and awareness. AMD has developed a comprehensive program that helps not only to fund specific research projects, but also to launch the careers of those willing to specialize in migraine research.