Brown Brain Fair invites Rhode Islanders to explore the science of the brain

Visitors will be able to test their neuroanatomy knowledge, debunk common brain myths, touch a preserved human brain, meet scientists, create brain-themed art and explore dozens of hands-on stations - where they can control a state-of-the-art robotic arm, experience optical illusions and measure their brain's electrical activity. Brown faculty and students will also lead "lightning talks" on aging and memory, the cells that support brain function and the tools scientists use to study the brain, including MRI and other imaging technology.

Hassell hopes the event will give both kids and adults a sense not only of how the brain works, but also what a career in research looks like.

"I'm a first-generation college student and growing up, I didn't know that a research job was even possible," she said. "Being a scientist felt like something from a movie. That's part of why we organize community events like this: to introduce young people, and even adults, to what research actually looks like, what we do in the lab every day, and why that work is important today."

Since 2016, Brown students have organized the event each March in collaboration with Brain Waves Rhode Island. The fair is one of three flagship events to be held this month to increase public awareness of the advances and benefits of brain research.

Dr. Victoria Heimer-McGinn, co-chair and president of Brain Waves Rhode Island, launched the program in 2016 when she was a postdoctoral neuroscience researcher at Brown. She said the events spark public interest in the brain while highlighting the importance of basic brain research.

"I co-founded the Brown Brain Fair because I knew people would be drawn to learning about how our brains make us human," Heimer-McGinn said. "There is so much to explore, like how we learn languages, how we form bonds with others or why we get sick. We also wanted to show people just how essential basic brain research is to human health. Many of the researchers featured at the fair are working on life-saving science and now more than ever it's important to highlight their work."