Established by the Dana Foundation in 1995, Brain Awareness Week is a global event promoting neuroscience research and education.  Each year, neuroscientists, in partnership with universities, schools, and community organizations, celebrate Brain Awareness Week by hosting public events such as lectures, information displays, art shows, and children’s activities.  To learn more about Brain Awareness Week and see pictures from events held across the world, please visit the Dana Foundation’s Brain Awareness Week web site. 

The MNN is proud to sponsor a variety of Brain Awareness Week activities, including the Winnipeg Brain Bee, Café Scientifique, and Neurocraft.  We also invite high-profile Canadian neuroscientists to give public presentations on their research.

 


Up next:

2022 Brain Awareness Week

Have ideas for next year’s BAW?

Tell us what's on your mind!

 

2021 Brain Awareness Week

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the MNN celebrated the 2021 Brain Awareness Week virtually.  Check out some of our activities below!

BAW Highlights

Neuroscience for Kids!

We took the free Neuroscience for Kids Activities from our cancelled 2020 BAW schedule and made it virtual. 

This included:

  • The brain hat
  • Play-Doh brains
  • Protect the brain - egg drop challenge
  • Pipe cleaner neurons
  • Neuroscience coloring book

Check out our Instagram IGTV Channel for some cool videos!

Trainee photo contest

Our first photo contest celebrating the research works of our trainees!  Representative photos/images were shared on our social media accounts and voted on by the public.  The winner of the contest received a $100 gift card to Brazen Hall.

WINNER:

Pranav Mishra
Ph.D. student
Supervisor: Dr. Paul Fernyhough

Your brain is a pack of neurons

Café Scientifique

March 15

Research in Motion: The latest advances in Parkinson's disease

Panel: Dr. Ji Hyun Ko, Dr. Douglas Hobson, Dr. Tony Szturm

Visiting speaker

March 15

Understanding the cellular and molecular landscape of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Dr. Karun Singh
Senior Scientist, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto
Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto


 

Throwback!

2020 BAW

All events cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic

WINNIPEG BRAIN BEE

March 7
Bannatyne campus, University of Manitoba

NEUROSCIENCE FOR KIDS!

March 11
Outlet Collection Winnipeg

Free neuroscience activities presented in association with students from the University of Manitoba chapter of Let’s Talk Science

EDGE OF SCIENCE SEMINAR

March 16
Theatre C Bannatyne Campus

Dr. Brian MacVicar   
University of British Columbia

Microglia sensing and modulation of synaptic plasticity in neuronal circuits

SPECIAL LECTURE

March 17
Theatre C Bannatyne Campus

Dr. Tuan Trang   
University of Calgary

Microglia and pannexin1: a cellular Rubik’s cube

CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE

March 15
McNally Robinson Bookstore

Co-sponsored by MNN:  Research in motion: using new technologies to diagnose and treat Parkinson’s disease

NEUROSCIENCE FOR KIDS!

March 21
Garden City Shopping Centre

2019 BAW

WINNIPEG BRAIN BEE

March 9
Bannatyne campus, University of Manitoba

Check out the winners here!

VISITING SPEAKER

March 11

Dr. Steven
Conor
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
York University

Taming the wild synapse: MDGAs as negative regulators of synapse development

2018 BAW

WINNIPEG BRAIN BEE

March 10
Bannatyne campus, University of Manitoba

Check out the winners here!

CAFE SCIENTIFIQUE

March 12
McNally Robinson Bookstore

Co-sponsored by MNN:   Analyzing the spectrum: The neuroscience of autism

VISITING SPEAKER

March 14
Theatre C, BMSB, University of Manitoba, Bannatyne Campus

Dr. Pierre Marquet
Canada Excellence Research Chair
Neurophotonics

Neurophotonics to Intercept the Emergence of Major Psychiatric Disorders

IN CONVERSATION WITH DR. PIERRE MARQUET

March 14
McNally Robinson Bookstore

Identification of a childhood risk syndrome of major psychiatric diseases: a step towards their prevention

VISITING SPEAKER

March 15
Room 626, BMSB, University of Manitoba, Bannatyne Campus

Dr. Karim Fouad
Canada Research Chair, Spinal Cord Injury

Promoting plasticity and recovery following spinal cord injury

SCHOOL TOURS OF NEUROCRAFT

March 15 & Friday, March 16
C2 Centre for Craft

2017 BAW

Read story

WINNIPEG BRAIN BEE

March 11
Bannatyne campus, University of Manitoba

Check out the winners here!

SPECIAL LECTURE

March 13
Theatre B Bannatyne Campus

Dr. Luda Diatchenko
Canada Excellence Research Chair in Human Pain Genetics

CAFE SCIENTIFIQUE

March 15
McNally Robinson Bookstore

Co-sponsored by MNN:   The Battle against Brain Tumours:  Developing New Treatments through Innovative Research

NEUROCRAFT PUBLIC PANEL

March 16
Brainstorming: What Can Art and Neuroscience Learn from Each Other? 
Winnipeg Free Press Cafe

Discussion on the intersection of art and science with Neurocraft artists and scientists

Read story

NEUROCRAFT WORKSHOP WITH ANN STINNER

March 17
Brodie Centre Atrium

2012 - 2016 BAW

BAW VISITING SPEAKERS

2016:  Dr. Oliver Ernst, University of Toronto, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Structural Neurobiology

2015:  Dr. Matthew Farrer, University of British Columbia, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Neurogenetics and Translational Neuroscience

2012:  Dr. Adrian Owen, Western University, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging