Ottawa Chapter Wins 2018 Chapter of the Year Award
SfN’s Ottawa Chapter’s commitment to public outreach and education – anchored by its members visiting more than 40 area schools to reach 2,000 students in a coordinated week of community engagement – is just one way the chapter earned the 2018 Chapter of the Year Award honor.
In addition to in-school education, the chapter hosted its seventh annual Ottawa Region Brain Bee Competition with high school students competing to participate at the National Brain Bee competition. These two events supplemented an already busy schedule of conferences, lectures and symposia aimed at promoting the dissemination of scientific knowledge to the academic and general public. The Ottawa Chapter successfully provided platforms for local students and researchers to present their work to their peers and the public, enhancing understanding of the contributions brain research makes to our everyday lives.
“The brain awareness campaigns we have created have been a huge success with schools, and last year we had more than 500 people visit us at our museum exhibits,” said Gareth Rurak, graduate student at Carleton University and Ottawa chapter member.
The Chapter of the Year Award recognizes one outstanding chapter annually for its efforts and accomplishments across a broad range of activities that align with the mission and strategic initiatives of SfN. The winning chapter receives a $1,000 grant to support its programs.
