In June our interdisciplinary association came together for a vibrant summer gathering to “collectively effervesce” together. It was all about creativity, science, and the EDGE community spirit! The three-day event was packed with activities, discussions, and hands-on experiences, leaving us all inspired and excited for the future of our collaborative endeavors!
Our summer gathering unofficially began on Friday, with the team meeting to discuss important administrative matters. This intimate session allowed us to reflect on the association’s progress, fine-tune our plans, and ensure that the weekend ahead would run smoothly.
We officially kicked off the weekend on Saturday morning with a welcome session where members new and old had the chance to settle in and meet. We are very grateful to have partnered with Eye Square for this event, who hosted us over the weekend at their fantastic riverside location.
First off, we ran our signature dynamic Speed Meeting session, allowing members to engage in rapid-fire discussions with one another. As always, it ran on as no one wanted to stop!
Afterward, we had a full session focused on the organization and laying the groundwork for the association’s future. We began talking about Organization Structure and Roles, where we discussed how we could best operate as a team. As well as Documentation and updating everyone on our Onboarding & Membership Process.
After a well-deserved lunch break, we began planning our Timeline for 2024/25, ensuring that everyone was aligned on what we hope to achieve in the coming year. We also had some time for project Circle Updates in the beautiful Berlin sunshine.
To keep things lively, we took a Game Break where using provided materials, we each crafted something that represented what we do with EDGE. After 3 (or sometimes 15) minutes, this piece was passed on to the next person for development. A wonderful assorted sculpture gallery of ideas was created as a result!
In the evening, we ventured out into the city for Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften (Long Night of Sciences). This excursion allowed us to explore the city’s vibrant science scene. We attended 2 fascinating guided tours on conservation at Naturkundemuseum and the Brain exhibit at the Charité Medical History Museum (which we have previously written about here!). It was a perfect way to cap off the day, blending science and art in a way that resonated with our EDGE’s mission!
Sunday began with an important round of association updates, where we discussed the current state of our association and outlined our goals for the upcoming year. Following this, we voted for our new treasurer, a key event that allowed members to participate in shaping our leadership. Sharyar Khorasani has been elected for the next term as our Treasurer.
Congratulations Shah!
In the afternoon we opened our doors to both members and non-members alike for a workshop “Dare to Know” hosted by our science advisor Dr. Dimitra Mazeraki. She introduced some fundamentals of neuroscience in a creative context, providing insights into the fascinating world of our brains. The workshop allows a space to discuss with people of different disciplines and make pieces inspired by the topics presented.
We are very grateful for everyone who was able to make it with us over that full weekend! Thanks to all the members who made it happen. We know the energy, inspiration, and sense of community we experienced will fuel our EDGE’s activities in the months to come! Can’t wait for the next gathering!
Interested in joining EDGE Neuroscience & Art e.V.’s member community? Find more information here, or fill out this form to become a member!
