Human model brains, sheep brains, and gummy brains were all recently on hand at the Museum for the 3^rd annual Brain Fair!  In conjunction with the University of Miami, Barry University, St. Thomas University, Florida International University and Nova Southeastern University, the Museum offered a fun, free day of brain related activities. Visitors could find out if they were a “super taster,” dissect a sheep brain and compare it to a plastic model of a human brain, and lots more. Over 2,400 museum visitors enjoyed more than 15 interactive exhibits as well as various talks on sports-related concussions, sleeping disorders in children, and which foods super charge your brain.

“The Brain Fair is about bringing complicated neuroscience concepts to kids so that they can really understand and enjoy learning science.  Neuroscience is very complicated, but with the right educators and the right hands-on activities, we can make this difficult subject understandable to even a 5 year old.  Thanks to the over 250 volunteers… I think we have made a difference in some of the children’s lives.  I had one boy come up to me at the fair to share that he now wants to grow up to be a neuroscientist and solve Alzheimer’s disease.  Maybe he will, and maybe that will, one day, become part of the legacy of the Miami Brain Fair.” Coleen M. Atkins, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

The Brain Fair was sponsored by: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Pilot Club of Miami, Society for Neuroscience Miami Chapter, University of Miami Undergraduate Neuroscience Program, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Kidz Neuroscience Center, NOVA Southeastern University Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, St. Thomas University School of Science, Technology & Engineering Management, and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.