Brain Awareness Week

MARCH 18th  

Brain Awareness Week began in 1996 as a modest effort involving 160 organizations in the United States.  BAW was created to bring together diverse groups from academia, government, professional, and advocacy groups and unite them with a common theme that brain research is the hope for treatments and preventions, and possibly cures, for brain diseases and disorders, and to ensure a better quality of life at all ages.  In 1998, the campaign became international, first as a day and then as a week.  Since that time, BAW has evolved into a powerful global initiative with more than 2,200 partners in 76 countries (as of the 2008 campaign).

Are you doing anything to help raise brain awareness?  Whether its forwarding these Brain Bytes, educating your friends/organization/school, having students drink more water, or even offering peppermints during MSAs, write us and let us know:  mcollins@confidentstudent.com!   At the conclusion of each year’s Brain Awareness Week, reports detailing area efforts are contributed to a final international BAW report.  The report features best practices, descriptions of innovative activities, photos, and lessons learned.  The goal is to provide useful ideas and insights from BAW partners that will assist and inspire others in organizing and implementing future BAW activities.

BRAIN BYTE:  Did you know?    
Your greatest ability to remember something is through a multi-sensory approach.

You’ll remember:
-10% of what you read
-20% of what you hear
-30% of what you see
-50% of what you see and hear
-70% of what you say
-90% of what you say and do        

*studies vary on specific percentages, but in total conclude a person remembers things best with a combined approach towards learning

NEED MORE NEUROSCIECE?
How the Brain Learns by David A. Sousa
*Part of a four-book series including: How the Brain Learns, Third Edition; How the Brain Learns to Read; How the Gifted Brain Learns; How the Special Needs Brain Learns, Second Edition
Buy the Book: http://www.amazon.com/How-Brain-Learns-David-Sousa/dp/1412936616/ref=pd_sim_b_2/105-8285835-9666836

David Sousa gives the best introduction to this educator’s classic with the quote selected to lead the first chapter:  “With our new knowledge of the brain, we are just dimly beginning to realize that we can now understand humans, including ourselves, as never before, and that this is the greatest advance of the century, and quite possibly the most significant in all human history.”  Leslie A. Hart, Human Brain and Human Learning. This is the manner with which he discusses brain capability throughout his chapters:  Basic Brain Facts; How the Brain Processes Information; Memory, Retention, and Learning, The Power of Transfer, Brain Specialization and Learning, The Brain and the Arts, Thinking Skills and Learning, Putting It All Together:  Planning for Today and Tomorrow.

“When it comes to brain research, David Sousa is first among peers. His straightforward explanation of the intricacies of the brain, based on solid research, turns theory into practice allowing educators to immediately operationalize concepts into classroom practice."
—Jim Grant, International Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker, Staff Development for Educators

"A wonderful and thorough compendium of how our brain learns. Packed with both scientific and practical information."
—Eric Jensen, Speaker, Author, Trainer, and Consultant, Jensen Learning Corporation

"David Sousa will open your mind to the latest brain research that can be applied to classroom practice. This book belongs in the hands of every teacher for practical applications of cutting edge findings that help us understand how the brain learns best. A pioneer in the field of brain-compatible learning, Sousa's ability to synthesize the research is even better in this latest edition of How the Brain Learns."
—Marilee Sprenger, Author, teacher, consultant,

David A. Sousa, an international educational consultant, has made presentations at national conventions of educational organizations and has conducted workshops on brain research and science education in hundreds of school districts and at several colleges and universities across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. His teaching experience covers all levels. Sousa has edited science books and published numerous books and articles in leading educational journals on staff development, science education, and brain research.

NEUROSCIENCE FOR KIDS
Brain Science on the Move
Visit:  http://www2.neuroscience.umn.edu/brainscience/cool_stuff.htm
This website has plenty to offer the emerging neuroscientist, whether aged 6 or 12.  Neurons introduce who they are and what they do.  Ions talk about sneaking inside the nervous system.
For that emerging neuroscientist in all of us, make a point to check out the Illusions Gallery referenced on the site:  http://dragon.uml.edu/psych/illusion.html!