Event(s) Summary
Number of Events Organized During Brain Awareness Week:
20
Year:
2015
Type of Events Held:
- Conference/Forum
- Exhibit
- Open House
- Radio Show
- School Program
- Symposium
- Workshop
- Other: Parent Education Program - The Brain Awareness Expo; Brain Art Installations on two campuses;
Target Audiences:
- Elementary school students(1-5)
- General Public
- High School students(9-12)
- Middle school students(6-8)
- Other
- Patients & Caregivers
- Professionals
- University students
- Other: Indian Creek School Board of Trustees
Approximate Number of People Reached:
1,500
Details of Major Brain Awareness Week Events/Activities:
Faculty Professional Development Day featuring workshops on neuroscience and diversity and an interactive brain game served as the kick off for a 40-day Brain Awareness Effort called Smarter Teaching, Better Learning: Neuroscience Research in Action at Indian Creek School. Each member of the faculty completed a template providing concrete examples of how they use neuroscience to inform their practice. Faculty examples were converted to website and social media content that illustrated theory via practical application. School-wide weekly newsletter highlighted faculty application of neuroscience based strategies. Faculty members created an internal electronic repository featuring professional literature, neuroscience research, examples of best practices, and discussion boards. This resource will continue to serve as another arena for faculty dialogue and learning. Students completed research projects on the brain and learning, brain health, and physiology that were exhibited at an all school event – The Brain Awareness Expo. Several Middle School students were invited to present their research projects at Anne Arundel Community College. Upper and Middle School students collaborated with art faculty to create brain art installations, which will be permanently displayed on our two campuses. Faculty created and led an interactive brain awareness game for a parent education program that brought to life some of our school’s best educational practices.
Event Planning & Publicity
Publicity Methods Used:
- Emails
- Posters/Flyers
- Press Release/Media Advisory
- Website
- Social Media
- Other
Which of These Publicity Methods Was The Most Successful?
Resources
Of the Dana Foundation publications/resources distributed at your event(s), if any, please indicate the three most popular. Please choose up to three. If "other," please indicate below:
- none
Feedback & Keys to Success
How do you feel BAW participation benefited your organization and the local community?
One of the biggest benefits is the way participation in Brain Awareness generated faculty and school pride. These efforts facilitated increased understanding of the applications of neuroscience in teaching and learning at Indian Creek School internally and externally. We will continue to develop our internal resources for faculty professional development and parent education. Sharing examples of neuroscience in action fostered collaboration and a greater appreciation of the work of colleague
Please share any suggestions or lessons learned that may help others plan future events:
Forming a Brain Awareness Steering Committee comprised of teacher volunteers was critical for our success. Grassroots leadership of our multifaceted effort created greater buy in from our entire community and generated excitement. Faculty partnerships with administrators fostered mutual respect and helped frame our Brain Awareness messages to reach a larger audience within and outside of our school
Did/do you like our Facebook page?
Yes
Quotable comments which capture successful aspects of your event(s):
Parent feedback to the Head of School illustrated an increased understanding of how Indian Creek School teachers apply neuroscience. Teachers enjoyed seeing their work and that of their colleagues highlighted via social media.
