Event(s) Summary
Year:
2015
Type of Events Held:
- Workshop
Target Audiences:
- High School students(9-12)
- Other
Approximate Number of People Reached:
700
Details of Major Brain Awareness Week Events/Activities:
Our event was essentially setting up tables and discussing the mission of BAW and the importance of brain research we titled this as “Tabling for Brain Awareness Week”.
We would first set up our table with the pamphlets, stickers, and buttons that we received from DANA. Then we would debrief our members on how to approach students and faculty members and then on how to distribute materials to those individuals. We also took pictures with students, with their consent of course, where they would write a message following the hash tag “#BAW”. We believed this would not only allow for the usage of media to increase awareness of BAW but it also gave the student an opportunity to share their voices on why brain research is important. For those who did not want to partake in the photograph, we would encourage them to checkout the DANA website and reach out to our organization as well in regards to any questions they may have.
I believe our efforts were successful as we saw many students wearing the pins and decorating their belongings with the BAW sticker. Overall, we saw that many students were very interested and supportive of brain research after learning more about BAW and the importance of brain research. For next year we would like to expand to having seminars and demonstrations during BAW.
Event Planning & Publicity
Publicity Methods Used:
- Emails
- Posters/Flyers
- Social Media
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:
- Q&A: Answering Your Questions About Brain Research
- BAW Stickers
- BAW Buttons
Which BAW graphic materials did you use in publicizing your events?
- BAW Flyer
Feedback & Keys to Success
How do you feel BAW participation benefited your organization and the local community?
I feel that not only has our organization recruited new members but we have also shown students that neuroscience is not this esoteric field of study, and that regardless of their academic discipline they too can be knowledgeable about the brain and be well read on brain research.
Please share any suggestions or lessons learned that may help others plan future events:
I think it is important when discussing brain research to a non-scientific audience to open with a fact that is easily relatable rather than technical or full of jargon.
Did/do you like our Facebook page?
yes
Was the information provided on Facebook useful?
Everything was fine, no complaints. The pamphlets and website were more than helpful enough
