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Brain Awareness Week 2015
Summary: Middle school students from the greater Washington, D.C. area rolled up their sleeves and took part in numerous hands-on activities related to Brain Awareness Week (BAW), held March 16-20 at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md.
Enjoy a few photos from the 2015 Brain Awareness Week at the NMHM.
Students attending this year's Brain Awareness Week at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) learn about the differences between human and animal brain specimens from Claire Kaplan of the D.C. Metro Area Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience. The program was held at NMHM from March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart)
Donna Kimbark, a program manager of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, talks with students about the effects of stress on the brain during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. from March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Meg Olmert, of the Warrior Canine Connection, speaks to guests on day one of Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. from March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Andrea Schierkolk, public program manager at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) welcomes guests to this year's Brain Awareness Week program, which was held at NMHM from March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Students learn about the social brain network as they pet Annie, a golden retriever service puppy-in-training with Warrior Canine Connection, one of the organizations taking part in the National Museum of Health and Medicine's (NMHM) annual Brain Awareness Week program. NMHM hosted the program from March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Charisse Winston, Levan Bokeria, Kim LeBlanc, Valerie Darcey, Danielle Friend (l to r) of the D.C. Metro Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience take part in Brain Awareness Week, which was held March 16-20, 2015 at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, Md. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Archie Fobbs, neuroanatomical collections manager at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM), talks about brain anatomy and function during this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at NMHM from March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Students from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences teach students to build models of neurons during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Meg Olmert, a neuroscientist with Warrior Canine Connection, talks to students about speaks to students on the first day of Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. Joining her were colleagues Jake Young, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL and military service dog, Annie. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Danielle Friend of the D.C. Metro Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience at this year's Brain Awareness Week explains the anatomy and functions of the human brain. The program was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) from March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Donna Kimbark, a program manager of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, performs a stretching activity with students during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. from March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Professor Kevin Jones from Howard University talks about how neurons talk to each other with a group of local middle school students during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Professor Martha Davila-Garcia from Howard University College of Medicine demonstrates the function of neurotransmitters and synapses for students during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Middle school students learn about brain synapses while visiting with a Howard University pharmacology graduate students during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Middle school students learn about brain synapses while visiting with a Howard University pharmacology graduate student during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A Howard University physical therapy student leads a group of middle school students in an activity related to the brain's role in movement during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A Howard University physical therapy student explains the anatomy and function of the spinal cord to a group of middle school students in an activity during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Members of Howard University's College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy, lead an activity about the anatomy of movement at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Students with Howard University's College of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, explain the function of cranial nerves at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A student from Howard University's College of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, demonstrates the function of cranial nerves to local middle school students at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A Howard University medical student demonstrates the function of cranial nerves to local middle school students at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A Howard University medical student uses a brain specimen during an activity at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A Howard University medical student (left) and professor (center) use a brain specimen to discuss cranial nerve function during an activity at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Members of Howard Universitys College of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, demonstrate the function of cranial nerves at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A Howard University medical student uses a brain specimen to talk about cranial nerve function with local middle school students at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Archie Fobbs, neuroanatomical collections manager at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM), leads a discussion about the human brain with middle school students from the Washington, D.C. area during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at NMHM March 16-20, 2015. (Disclosure: This image has been cropped to emphasize the subject.) (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) helps middle school students learn about mental stimulation during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) helps middle school students learn about mental stimulation during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Staff from the National Eye Institute (NEI) lead middle school students on an activity related to visual processing at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Staff from the National Eye Institute (NEI) lead middle school students on an activity related to visual processing at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Kathryn Demott, of the National Eye Institute (NEI), discusses parts of the eye with middle school students at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS/NIH) explains the four lobes of the brain to middle school students at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS/NIH) answers questions about the four lobes of the brain to middle school students at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS/NIH) explains the four lobes of the brain to middle school students at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS/NIH) explains the four lobes of the brain to middle school students at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Middle school students listen to Juan Bassett, histology technician at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM), as he explains parts of the human brain during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at NMHM March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS/NIH) explains the four lobes of the brain to a middle school student at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS/NIH) explain the four lobes of the brain to middle school students at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Dr. Dennis Twombly, of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD/NIH), discusses the effects of alcohol on brain development during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Dr. Dennis Twombly, of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD/NIH), discusses the effects of alcohol on brain development during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Dr. Walter J. Koroshetz, acting director, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS/NIH), gives an introduction to the anatomy and function of the brain to middle school students at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute of Mental Health demonstrates how the brain and spinal cord work together through an electrical recording for a middle school student attending this year's Brain Awareness Week, held March 16-20, 2015 at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, Md. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute of Mental Health uses circuits to demonstrate how the brain and spinal cord work together for middle school students attending this year's Brain Awareness Week, held March 16-20, 2015 at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, Md. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute of Mental Health demonstrates the electrical activity generated by muscles in their arms and fingers for students attending this year's Brain Awareness Week, held March 16-20, 2015 at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, Md. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute of Mental Health demonstrates the electrical activity generated by muscles in their arms and fingers for students attending this year's Brain Awareness Week, held March 16-20, 2015 at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, Md. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute on Drug Abuse discusses the effects of drugs on the brain and body at this year's Brain Awareness Week, held March 16-20, 2015 at the National Museum of Health and Medicine. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute on Drug Abuse discusses the effects of drugs on the brain while playing 'Brain Derby' with middle school students at this year's Brain Awareness Week, held March 16-20, 2015 at the National Museum of Health and Medicine. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute on Drug Abuse discusses the effects of drugs on the brain while playing 'Brain Derby' with middle school students at this year's Brain Awareness Week, held March 16-20, 2015 at the National Museum of Health and Medicine. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism outlines how alcohol interferes with brain development to middle school students during this year's Brain Awareness Week, held March 16-20, 2015 at the National Museum of Health and Medicine. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A scientist from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism guides middle school students wearing 'fatal vision goggles' in a football-toss game during this year's Brain Awareness Week, held March 16-20, 2015 at the National Museum of Health and Medicine. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Archie Fobbs, neuroanatomical collections manager at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM), allows a middle school student to hold a human brain specimen during this year's Brain Awareness Week, held March 16-20, 2015 at the NMHM. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Presenters from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) explain the basics of neurophysiology to a middle school student during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Presenters from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) explain the basics of neurophysiology to local middle school students during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Middle school students from the Washington, D.C. area take part in a 'barrier game' to build creative communication techniques alongside speech pathologists from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). The activity was part of Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Middle school students from the Washington, D.C. area explore a computer-based cognitive training program alongside a speech pathologist from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). The activity was part of Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Tia McDonald, of the audiology clinic at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), reviews the effects of loud noise on hearing and balance with middle school students from the Washington, D.C. area. The activity was part of Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine's (NMHM) March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
1LT Danielle Ledgard, U.S. Army service member with the audiology clinic at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), demonstrates the importance of balance to a group of local middle school students at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Tia McDonald, of the audiology clinic at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), leads a discussion on the effects of loud noise on hearing and balance with middle school students from the Washington, D.C. area. The activity was part of the National Museum of Health and Medicine's (NMHM) annual Brain Awareness Week, which was held at NMHM March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Middle school students from the Washington, D.C. area learn about the vestibular system from 1LT Danielle Ledgard, U.S. Army service member with the audiology clinic at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
A U.S. Army service member from the hearing conservation clinic at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) explains how loud noise can damage hearing to a group of middle school students during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
1LT Danielle Ledgard, U.S. Army service member with the audiology clinic at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) explains the functions of the vestibular system to middle school students during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Pamela Sjolinder, an educator from the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC), explains the causes of traumatic brain injuries to middle school students during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Middle school students participate in a brain drop activity to demonstrate why it is important to protect the brain during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Pamela Sjolinder, an educator with the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC), discusses the importance of wearing a sports helmet to a middle school student during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Pamela Sjolinder, an educator with the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC), discusses the importance of wearing a sports helmet with a middle school student during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Pamela Sjolinder, an educator with the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC), shows middle school students what a brain bleed looks like using a plastinated brain specimen during Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Dr. Barry Komisaruk, Rutgers University, discusses how the brain interprets information by using optical illusions with middle school students at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
Middle school students explore optical illusions with Dr. Barry Komisaruk, Rutgers University, at this year's Brain Awareness Week, which was held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) in Silver Spring, Md. March 16-20, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)