Neuroscience Fair

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! One of our stuffed animals had a little tumble and needs a brain check-up! Visitors will get to pick a stuffed animal and help “scan” the toy’s head using a pretend MRI machine. As they learn how doctors take pictures of the brain to make sure everything is okay, kids get to see images of real brains and talk about how medical tools—though sometimes loud or unfamiliar—can help us feel better and stay safe.  

Learn more about Animal Brain Scanner

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Explore our brain zoo and see the wild diversity of brains across the animal kingdom! At this interactive station, participants will examine real and model animal brains, compare structures, and discover how brain anatomy relates to behavior.  Try the guessing game: match each brain to its animal and flip the card to check your answer. Along the way, we’ll highlight different brain areas and discuss how evolution has shaped the brain. 

Learn more about Animal Brains

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Need a moment to unwind? Little ones can take a break from the buzz of the fair in this kid-friendly space filled with coloring pages, simple games, and soft toys. There’s no schedule, no instructions, just a comfy spot to relax, reset, and enjoy some quiet play. Whether it’s a few minutes of coloring or a full-on toy adventure, this zone is perfect for recharging little brains before jumping back into the excitement. 

Learn more about Brain Break

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Think you know how the brain works? Put your knowledge to the test in our “Myth or Fact?” sorting challenge! Participants will examine common brain statements and decide whether they’re true or just popular misconceptions. As we reveal the real science behind each claim, visitors will learn how neuroscience research helps us separate fact from fiction. 

Learn more about Brain Myths Busted!

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Put your brain together—literally! At this hands-on station, participants will assemble a colorful puzzle of the brain using velcro-backed pieces. As you build, we’ll explore what each region does—from vision in the occipital lobe to movement in the motor cortex. Once complete, they can take a puzzle set home or scan the QR code to print their own. 

Learn more about Brain Puzzle

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Join us to explore what neuroscience can teach us about the contributions of our microbes to brain development. Through interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities, we will discover the incredible impact of microbes on our brain growth and learn about the ways that our lifestyles (for example, antibiotic over usage) may be affecting our microbes and therefore our brain development. All age groups are welcome! 

Learn more about Do Microbes Shape your Brain?

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Step into the role of a neuroscientist! At this playful photo booth, kids and families can gear up in lab coats, colorful gloves, pretend glasses, and other science-themed props to look the part of a neuroscientist. From plush neurons to toy insects and stethoscopes, each item sparks curiosity about what scientists use in the lab and why. Don’t forget to snap a photo and share it with the hashtag #MSUNeuroFair to show off your scientific style! 

Learn more about Dress Like a Neuroscientist

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Add a splash of science to your smile! At this colorful station, visitors can choose from a selection of neuroscience-themed face paint designs or opt for a fun science temporary tattoo. From neurons and brains to lightning bolts of thought, each design celebrates the wonders of the brain. We keep it simple with one design per visitor at a time and encourage everyone to swing by the “Dress Like a Neuroscientist” booth afterward for a photo in full science style.  

Learn more about Face Painting

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Looking for ways to challenge and inspire your academically advanced student? Stop by the GATE booth to learn about Michigan State University’s Gifted and Talented Education programs for students in grades 4 and up. Whether you're curious about accelerated math, humanities, foreign languages, or hands-on summer experiences, GATE offers differentiated learning pathways designed to meet gifted students where they are. Representatives will be available to answer questions about academic year programs, summer camps, testing and placement, and how to get started. From middle school enrichment to high school acceleration, GATE helps families navigate options that support deep learning, creativity, and growth. Come explore what’s possible! 

Learn more about Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Think your aim is sharp? Try it with your vision shifted! At this station, you’ll throw bean bags at a target—first with normal vision, then while wearing prism goggles that bend your visual field. As your throws go hilariously off-course, your brain begins to adapt in real time. This hands-on challenge reveals the power of neuroplasticity, or how your brain rewires itself through practice. It’s fast-paced, funny, and surprisingly brainy. Come test your toss and see your brain in action! 

Learn more about Goofy Goggles

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Ever wondered what a real human brain looks like? At this unforgettable station, you’ll get to examine preserved human brain specimens along with plastic models, skulls, and brain sections showing disease and anatomy. Learn how the brain’s wrinkles help it fit inside our skull, why it’s not pink anymore, and how it compares to brains from other species. This is a rare opportunity to see the organ that makes you... you.  

Learn more about Human Brains

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Ever wonder how your brain knows when it’s time to eat or when to stop? At this science-meets-gameplay station, you’ll play a twist on Hungry Hungry Hippos to explore how your body’s chemical messengers talk to your brain. It’s a fun, active way to learn how hormones shape behavior, appetite, and brain-body communication. Come feed your neurons and your curiosity! 

Learn more about Hungry Hungry Neurons

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Get crafty with neuroscience! At this creative station, you’ll use pipe cleaners, beads, and other art materials to design your very own neuron. Guided by real diagrams and photos, you’ll learn about the key parts and how signals travel from one neuron to the next. No matter what type of neuron you make, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how brain cells connect, communicate, and shape everything we do. 

Learn more about Make a Neuron

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Step into a moment of calm at our mindfulness station, where neuroscience meets emotional well-being. This station is a gentle reminder that caring for your brain isn’t just about anatomy, it’s also about mental health. Stop by to complete a hands-on gratitude activity, explore mindfulness practices, pick up resources via QR code, and discover how even a few quiet moments can make a big difference.  

Learn more about Mindfulness

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Can you build what your partner sees? Ever wonder how your brain helps you understand what others are thinking or feeling? At this booth, you’ll put your communication skills and your brain’s empathy powers to the test! Using colorful building blocks and a simple challenge, you’ll discover how mirror neurons help us connect, communicate, and collaborate. Can you describe your creation well enough for someone else to build it without showing them?  

Learn more about Mirror Minds: Building with Words

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Learn more about My Brain is Beautiful

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Ever wonder how doctors test your brain and nerves? At this interactive station, a medical student will walk you through a real neurological exam just like what a neurologist does in clinic. From tapping your knee to tracking your finger, every movement tells a story about how your brain and body communicate. It’s a fascinating peek into clinical neuroscience and a chance to see your own nervous system in action! 

Learn more about Nervous Breakdown

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Peer into the hidden world of brain cells! Use real microscopes to explore prepared slides of neurons and brain tissue up close. See the cells that let your brain do all the amazing things that it can do! 

Learn more about Neuron Discovery Station

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! What do an egg, a jar of water, and a helmet have in common? They’re all part of this hands-on demo that reveals how your brain stays safe inside your skull. Watch how cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cushions the brain from everyday jolts and what happens when that protection isn’t enough. Then, learn why helmets matter and how to wear one properly to prevent injury during sports and play. Stop by and discover the science behind staying safe! 

Learn more about Protect Your Brain

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! At this fast-paced station, you’ll challenge your motor abilities through your choice of two engaging activities. First, race against the clock in the classic Perfection game, fitting shapes into their slots before time runs out. Then, try the Purdue Pegboard test, a real scientific tool used to measure hand-eye coordination and finger agility. Come race for perfection and discover the science behind every skillful move! 

Learn more about Race for Perfection

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Think your reflexes are lightning fast? Put them to the test in this exciting drop-and-grab game! Try to catch a falling ruler before it slips through your fingers. You’ll learn how your brain and body work together in a split second from your eyes to your muscles. Come see how fast your brain really is! 

Learn more about Reaction Time

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Explore how we see and how our brains sometimes get fooled! This station features a real cow eye dissection alongside mind-bending visual illusions. Participants can examine preserved eyes, handle a foam model to identify key structures, and watch a blind spot demo that reveals where your vision literally disappears. Then, shift gears to optical illusions that challenge your perception. 

Learn more about See a Cow Eye Close Up!

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! At this creative station, you will explore spine and skull models, then craft a colorful bracelet that represents the central and peripheral nervous systems. As you build, you’ll learn how the spine protects the spinal cord, how nerves branch out to control movement and sensation, and how injuries can affect communication between brain and body.

Learn more about Spine Model

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Working memory is your brain’s mental workspace that helps you hold and use information in real time, like remembering a phone number while dialing or following multi-step directions. At this station, you’ll put your working memory to the test with fun challenges that ask you to observe, recall, and spot what’s missing. It’s a quick, engaging way to explore one of the brain’s most important tools and see how yours stacks up! 

Learn more about Test Your Memory

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! At this sensory station, you’ll explore how your brain processes your sense of smell and why smell is so closely tied to memory and emotion. Test your nose with mystery scent containers and match aromas to images. It’s a fragrant, fascinating journey into how your brain interprets the world one whiff at a time! 

Learn more about The Nose Knows

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! At this interactive station, you’ll explore the incredible sensitivity of your skin and how your brain interprets touch. Try the two-point discrimination test to see which parts of your body are most precise, dive into a sensory mystery bag to identify objects using only your fingertips, and experience how your perception of temperature changes through sensory adaptation. 

Learn more about Touch & Perception

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Can you draw a triangle with knobs or trace a maze using your non-dominant hand? At this motor skills station, you’ll challenge your coordination and discover how your brain learns through practice. It’s a fun, hands-on way to explore how your brain adapts, improves, and gets better at tricky tasks over time! 

Learn more about Triangle Trials: Motor Skills in Action