EDUCATION &
OUTREACH
The Healthy and Creative Brain.
A large, immersive tool to reinforce drug prevention efforts.
About The Healthy and Creative Brain
​
The Healthy and Creative Brain inflatable was leased by DII with support from Kanawha Communities That Care and Prestera to expand our Don’t Keep Rx Around™ Medication Safety program throughout southern West Virginia. The Brain is intended to be used mainly in communities located in Region 5 of the state (Kanawha, Cabell, Putnam, Clay, Lincoln, Boone, Logan, Mason, Mingo & Wayne) for public events, SUD and prevention-related events.
The Healthy and Creative Brain Exhibit made possible by our partners Prestera Health, and Kanawha Communities that Care is a mobile exhibit that travels throughout the state of WV for a month or longer residencies. During our time at Heritage Farms (Wayne Co.) in October 2024, we were able to reach over 1,200 students in Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
We are excited to announce our new location for the Healthy and Creative Brain at the Clay Center for Arts and Sciences. Children who visit the Clay Center between February and May 2025 will be able to interact with the Brain located in the Mindscapes Exhibit. Located below are grade-specific workbooks that can be used at home or in the classroom to further participants' knowledge about the brain and its functions.
A Hand's On Experience
​
The Healthy and Creative Brain is a large, immersive tool used to reinforce prevention efforts made by DII and local substance use prevention coalitions. This 18' long x 14' wide x 12' high inflatable contains information about the consequences of substance use and medication misuse.
This hands-on experience highlights the implications of substance use in an age-appropriate, understandable way and allows students not only to see and touch the exhibit but also to physically walk through it with their peers to learn about types of substances and how the misuse of over the counter and prescription medicine impacts the brain.
The exhibit helps facilitate discussion and demonstrates the psychological and physical effects of substance use on the brain. The messaging and curriculum is designed for usage in schools, but can be applied to appropriate public events, as well. The Healthy and Creative Brain introduces the anatomy and physiology of the brain and reinforces medication safety concepts
FAQ
​​
How do I get the Healthy and Creative Brain to come to me?
Due to the size and weight of the exhibit we are booking month long or longer residencies where we can reach more students at sites that see students in afterschool programs, during field trips (like parks and museums), and other public locations. If you are interested in being a host site please contact the Education Director, Macy Withrow, via email at macy@wvdii.org or via phone at (304)545-0022.
How much does it cost to have the Healthy and Creative Brain brought to me?
If you are interested in being a host site for a month-long or longer residency there is no cost to having the Brain at your school, museum, community center, etc.
If I choose to have the brain at my location will my staff have to manage the upkeep?
No! An Institute staff member will be there every day that the exhibit is open, and will be managing the upkeep of inflating and deflating the brain. Our team can also assist with education and leave behind activities, materials, and lesson plans for parents, caregivers, and educators to take to the classroom or back home. These materials can be co-branded with your organization depending upon the length of the residency.
​
THE CREATIVE AND HEALTHY BRAIN COLORING & ACTIVITY BOOKS
​​
WVDII has created a series of coloring and activity books for grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. You can download each one by clicking the links below and they will open in a new window. Or, you can right-click and choose Save As on Windows or CTRL+click Download or Save As on Mac.
​​
​
​​