UPDATE: Brain Week Rhode Island has been canceled due to the COVID-19 situation. Below is a statement from the event's organizers, followed by the original story regarding the event.

In light of the developing COVID-19 situation and following the recommendations of several of our sponsors – Brown University, RIDOH, Care New England, Lifespan– Brain Week Rhode Island has made the decision to cancel this year’s events.  In addition to the hundreds of people who attend our events, many of the panelists, workshop leaders and speakers are health care professionals.  Our decision is intended to protect these people who are on the front line, as well as our audiences and supporters.  Considering the health concerns of the day, we are mindful of the people who might be at genuine risk or those who are concerned about exposing themselves.

Brain Week wishes to acknowledge and thank all of our supporters and partners who have committed countless hours to organizing this year’s events.  We will reschedule Brain Week and make an announcement at that time. 

***

Brain Week Rhode Island (brainweekri) will celebrate its milestone fifth year from March 14-22 with events in multiple locations in Rhode Island.

Since its inception in 2016, Brain Week Rhode Island has attracted thousands of parents, children, educators and medical professionals to an inviting schedule of interactive brain-themed events for all ages, as well as cerebrally stimulating panels and presentations on the most current brain research. Most events are free of charge.

The program also features “BRAINY” classroom sessions in high schools and middle schools designed to inspire young people to consider science as a profession.

The goal of Brain Week Rhode Island is to share with the community the ever-increasing knowledge of the brain and to highlight the wealth of neuroscience research happening in the Ocean State. The event brings together specialists in many fields to make brain science and brain health accessible for everyone.

“We are thrilled to welcome back many previous and many new participants in this exciting fifth year. There is so much exciting and cutting-edge brain science taking place right in our state and a growing public interest in the most remarkable computing device known to date: the human brain,” said Victoria Heimer-McGinn, PhD, chair of Brain Week Rhode Island and assistant professor in neuroscience at Roger Williams University. “People want to know just how everything we do, feel, and perceive – from dreams to our poor life decisions – reside in the brain. It’s no surprise that in only five years we have experienced substantial growth in terms of our audiences, supporters and collaborators.”

Activities during Brain Week include creative learning opportunities, expert panels, workshops, a film screening, dance for the aging and movement challenged, a “Moth-like” story telling event, an art show, and two brain fairs with interactive science exhibits at URI and Brown University and a new Brain Fest on Smith Hill.

Topics range from the basic science of just how the most complex object in the known universe works, to how Artificial Intelligence technology is impacting research and human lives, to fear and trauma, brain health, and the psychology of evil.

Brain Week also features an inventive and inspiring educational outreach program, “BRAINY School Visits.” Neuroscientists from Brown University and Roger Williams University will visit PK-12 classrooms in Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket and Bristol to inspire the next generation of brain scientists. Demos will feature real human brains and other interactive learning activities, sometimes in Spanish as well as English.

Most Brain Week events are free and open to the public. Advance reservations are strongly advised where available. For a full schedule of Brain Week events (in progress) and to reserve event tickets, visit brainweekri.org or facebook.com/brainweekri.