NeuroGeeks
Lauren Wilgus
About NeurogeeksNeuroGeeks is an organization created by me. It is about uniting people who have a passion for understanding the brain. The amount of people developing a strong interest in neuroscience is growing, and NeuroGeeks aims to bring neuroscience enthusiasts together toward the common cause of neuroscience education. We help educate the community on neuroscience-related topics through hosted events in the Portland Metro Area in Oregon. Our events are fun, educational environments where people can build connections with like-minded individuals. We aim to break down the barriers between students, enthusiasts, and professionals to allow for amazing networking and community building opportunities.
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What we do
NeuroGeeks runs a book club and hosts neuroscience events. Our book club meets bi-weekly in SW Portland in a lounge called Casey's. The book club is our way to get NeuroGeeks together to form friendships and have open discussion about neuroscience topics.
Our events will be monthly starting in October 2015. The events are a way to educate the public about neuroscience topics and increase the interest in neuroscience research among adults. The events will take place in a fun and casual environment and the speakers will interact with the audience in order to foster a sense of community. |
events locationAlberta Street Pub
Second Sunday of the month 6-8pm. Starting this October! 1036 NE Alberta St. Portland, OR 97211 |
My Progress
What I have complete: I have completed the website and successfully started a NeuroGeeks page on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. I have started a mailing list to send newsletters to and gathered 271 subscribers so far. I have the first six events planned out with speakers in mind for each. I have an official logo created. I have reached out to other organizations for future collaboration including: NW Noggin, The Neuroscience Club at Portland State University, and S.A.N.E. (Scholars for Awareness of Neuroscience Education), and OHSU Brain Institute. I have met with Alberta Street Pub and we will be hosting our events in their venue.
Goals: Promotion and host the first event, Neuroscience Myth Busters, this Ocotber. |
keep in touchFollow NeuroGeeks on social media and subscribe to our mailing list so you can be updated on upcoming neuroscience events!
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reflection
Neuroscience is becoming a popular topic and an increasing amount of people are curious about how our brains work. Due to the popularity many myths and oversimplified explanations are being spread. This information is important to people because they use it to help define themselves - this adds a high level of responsibility for anyone sharing information about the brain. In addition, those who are passionate about the subject lack a sense of community until they become researchers themselves and enter into professional organizations. NeuroGeeks will effect change by educating the public on current neuroscience research and general neuroscience topics by hosting lectures in a fun and social environment that is open to all adults. NeuroGeeks will be the bridge between scientists and the general public. I am creating a casual learning environment in a pub that is open to the public and will have lectures where the speaker interact with the audience and foster a sense of community. There are no membership fees or requirements for someone to attend one of these lectures. We will also have bi-weekly book club meetings on top of our events to further strengthen a sense of community and provide a space for students and non-student brain geeks to meet and discuss neuroscience book topics.