Dr. Nicole Sherren is the Scientific Director of the Palix Foundation and a Program Officer with the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative. She has a PhD in Neuroscience from Carleton University in Ottawa and moved to Alberta in 2003 to hold an Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research/Neuroscience Canada research fellowship at the University of Lethbridge. Her research focus includes experience-based brain development, neurodevelopmental disorders, and brain plasticity. Nicole joined the Palix Foundation in 2007 to focus on mobilizing scientific knowledge into policy and clinical practice. She is particularly interested in creating innovative solutions for complex social problems and strategies to incent individual and organizational change. She lends her expertise to a number of working committees and community projects across Alberta and also serves as a board member for Calgary Alpha House Society.
Learning Opportunities
How to Build a Brain and the Brain Architecture Game
Presented By
Nicole SherrenSession Details
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| June 06, 2016 | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm |
Location
Grade Levels
AllYou will hear a brief introduction to the Palix Foundation’s Alberta Family Wellness Initiative, its platform of work and its tool kit of public resources, followed by a more detailed presentation on the impact of early childhood experiences on the developing brain and health outcomes from Palix’s Scientific Director, Nicole Sherren.
Following this presentation, you will be led through a hands-on, interactive session called the Brain Architecture Game, where you will work in small groups to build a model brain out of pipe cleaners and straws based on life experiences drawn at random from a deck of cards. The game was developed through a collaboration between neuroscientists and gaming researchers and helps players deepen their understanding of the impact of experiences on the developing brain.
About the organization:
The Alberta Family Wellness Initiative (AFWI) is a network of Albertans coming together to improve health and wellness for everyone.
In consultation with North America's most prominent experts, we support and apply leading research about early brain development and its connection to adult health. Because scientists have proven that many problems related to physical health, mental health and addiction have their roots in early childhood experiences, we are working together to support Albertans in two ways:
- supporting all families in providing nurturing environments for children, and
- supporting evidence-based care for people of all ages struggling with mental health problems or an addiction.
Target Audience
Early Learning Teachers, Learning Coaches and Administrators