Event(s) Summary
Number of Events Organized During Brain Awareness Week:
1
Year:
2015
Type of Events Held:
- Symposium
Target Audiences:
- Elementary school students(1-5)
- General Public
- High School students(9-12)
- Middle school students(6-8)
- Other
- Patients & Caregivers
- Other: Educators
Approximate Number of People Reached:
500 plus
Details of Major Brain Awareness Week Events/Activities:
“It’s all about brains this year at Mill Creek MS. Our focus has been on teaching students about their brain development, metacognition, growth mindset, and many other brain related topics. We have received heavy support from outreach partners. We are also excited for the involvement and support of Kent-Meridian HS students through the planning of this event. It is our goal to connect our community with information and resources for access to a life of wellness and growth while showcasing student learning. During the event, we will be sharing information alongside local outreach partners and middle school/high school student programs to enhance the evening with resources, games, activities, performances and student showcases. We are excited to invite all Kent School District Schools as well as the entire community of Kent. Our students are becoming leaders in these areas and we know they have much to share with our community.” After much anticipation, the symposium proved to be a huge success well beyond our expectations and was even showcased in the local paper. We are already preparing for next year’s symposium and hope to reach many more students, educators, families, and community members.
Event Planning & Publicity
Publicity Methods Used:
- Calendar Listings (newspapers, radio, television)
- Emails
- Posters/Flyers
- Press Release/Media Advisory
- Website
- Social Media
- Other
Other Publicity Methods:
Our district principals shared the information with their staff. We also used Brown Paper tickets to encourage pre-registration for a "Brain Box" raffle. We used the bookmarks for students to bring as tickets for their own special drawing. We also enlisted the high school Key club to spread the word and "Bring a friend."
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
- It’s Mindboggling!
- More Mindbogglers!
- BAW Stickers
- BAW Pencils and Erasers
- The Mindboggling Workbook
- BAW Buttons
What downloadable materials from the Foundation did you use for your events?
- BAW Bookmark
- Mindboggling Coloring Sheets
What other downloadable materials would you like the Foundation to provide?
- Lesson Plans
- Activities/Experiments
Which BAW graphic materials did you use in publicizing your events?
- BAW Flyer
- BAW Logos
- BAW Poster
- BAW Web site banner
- BAW Bookmarks
Feedback & Keys to Success
How do you feel BAW participation benefited your organization and the local community?
This has been the upmost beneficial event for our school in a longtime. Our students need the neuroeducation focus as well as positive community support. With our high poverty and diversity rate, we are frequently viewed as a bad school. The all year lessons and activities leading up to the Brain Symposium gave students connectivity, awareness about their development, and strategies for self-care. More importantly, it gave them a chance to shine as leaders and learners!
Please share any suggestions or lessons learned that may help others plan future events:
Get your school district involved. Get former students from high school involved as community service opportunities.
Did/do you like our Facebook page?
No
Quotable comments which capture successful aspects of your event(s):
http://www.kentreporter.com/community/297591041.html# Here is the link to the news article... I heard many parents say... "I had no idea our schools did this sort of thing." Many also asked if we would do it again next year.
