Over a thousand visitors celebrated Brain Awareness Week with BrainFest: A Cerebral Celebration at Pacific Science Center on March 16, 2024. Scientists from the Allen Institute, a local research nonprofit, joined with collaborators and students from the University of Washington to host a dozen activity stations throughout the science center – including a chance to explore future and emerging brain-related technologies with the Neuro Futures Card Game developed by the NISE Network.
Visitors also constructed pipe cleaner models of real brain cells imaged at the Allen Institute, recorded the electricity in their own nervous systems, assembled a six-foot-tall jigsaw puzzle to explore the process of electron microscope image reconstruction, and compared healthy human brain samples to those with Alzheimer's disease. One of the most popular stations was the Brain Zoo, where visitors investigated the brains of various animals as well as a 3D-printed T. Rex brain cast!
The event grew out of a collaboration between Pacific Science Center and the Allen Institute, neighbors in Seattle with a shared goal of engaging and inspiring curious minds. Partnering with a scientific organization like the Allen Institute allows PacSci visitors to engage with working scientists and explore cutting-edge research in ways that would otherwise not be possible.
Diana Johns, Vice President of Exhibits, Education, and Outreach at Pacific Science Center, acknowledged that “it’s not every day you get to ask a neuroscientist any question you want about the brain.” She continued, “Watching a 10-year-old child connect with a STEM professional who looks like them, sharing a moment of ‘wow’ over the size and shape of the T. Rex brain, is an unforgettable memory for all involved.”
Conversely, researchers at the Allen Institute appreciated the opportunity to share their work and their passion for science with the community. As one scientist volunteer reflected, "[BrainFest] reminded me of the cool things my folks would bring us to at Pacific Science Center when we were kids. It was kind of thrilling to feel like I got to bring that full circle."
Learn more about Brain Fest and see the excitement from this first annual event as it was captured in photos as well as this great video clip from the Allen Institute and Pacific Science Center!