NOVA Medical School recently participated in the 2025 Brain Awareness Week initiatives, which took place from March 10th to 16th, with the support of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and the Dana Foundation.
Under the theme "How the Body Talks with the Brain and Vice Versa?", the goal was to explore the complex body-brain communication through practical demonstrations, discussions, and interactive exercises.
More than thirty students, researchers and professors from NOVA Medical School, and medical doctors actively participated in the initiatives held in two public schools and a museum, engaging with students from 13 to 18 years old, as well as with senior citizen groups from the Lisbon region.
This year’s program included:
- Flash Talks on several topics reflecting the neuroscience research carried out at our school;
- Science Stands, with dynamic and interactive activities answering a wide range of questions about how the brain works and communicates with the body;
- Brain Games, to exercise the brain;
- Yoga and Relaxation Activities, to demonstrate how such practices can influence the brain-body connection;
- Art Workshops, aimed at stimulating the brain through creative freedom, organized by the project A Avó Veio Trabalhar (“Grandma Came to Work”).
In parallel, a week-long digital campaign was held with daily videos shared across NOVA Medical School’s social media platforms, each answering a question related to the theme – they can be viewed here.
The generated impact included:
- more than 520 students from 13 to 18 years old, and senior citizens reached;
- more than 11 hours of interactive activities;
- 16 flash talks;
- 8 yoga/relaxation sessions;
- 2 art workshops;
- 5 videos that generated over 28,000 views.
This initiative was funded for the second time through a grant from the FENS-Brain Awareness Week Program, allowing for an expansion of the impact of the planned activities in our community, promoting the visibility of neuroscience and fostering closer connections between scientists and society. Its realization was also made possible thanks to the support, in partnership, by the Portuguese Society for Neuroscience, Padre António Vieira Secondary School, Maria Amália Vaz de Carvalho Secondary School, the Health Museum, and the project "A Avó Veio Trabalhar."
The International Brain Awareness Week is a global and annual initiative led by the Dana Foundation to promote public enthusiasm and support for brain research, raising awareness of the importance and impact that neuroscience research has on everyday life.
Participating Research Groups:
- NEUROGENETICS OF LOCOMOTION - César Mendes
- NEURONAL TRAFFICKING IN AGING - Cláudia Almeida
- METABOLISM AND NUTRITION - Conceição Calhau
- Miguel Viana Batista
- NEURONAL GROWTH AND PLASTICITY - Rita Teodoro
- DEGENERATION AND AGEING - Sandra Tenreiro
- NEURONAL CONTROL OF METABOLIC DISTURBANCES: THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES - Sílvia Conde