Brown Brain Fair Invites Rhode Islanders to Explore the Science of the Brain

The free, family-friendly event on March 15 welcomes visitors for a day of fun and exploration, featuring games, art projects, lightning talks and demonstrations that highlight the wonders of the human brain.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The 2026 Brown Brain Fair is a free, family-friendly event on March 15 at Brown University that will offer local residents a chance to learn about neuroscience and brain health through interactive demonstrations, games and hands-on exhibits. The fair is organized by University students and will bring together scientists and volunteers from more than 25 Brown laboratories and centers, along with local health care and community organizations, for a day of exploration.

Why it matters

The Brown Brain Fair aims to connect the Brown and Providence communities for learning and fun while showcasing some of the latest discoveries in brain research happening across Rhode Island. The event is designed to make neuroscience accessible and introduce both kids and adults to what a career in research looks like.

The details

Exhibits at the fair will include testing neuroanatomy knowledge, debunking common brain myths, touching a preserved human brain, meeting scientists, creating brain-themed art and exploring dozens of hands-on stations where visitors can control a robotic arm, experience optical illusions and measure their brain's electrical activity. Brown faculty and students will also lead 'lightning talks' on topics like aging, memory, brain cells and imaging technology.

  • The 2026 Brown Brain Fair will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
  • The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The players

Lexi-Amber Hassell

A second-year neuroscience graduate student at Brown University who helped design the event.

Dr. Victoria Heimer-McGinn

The co-chair and president of Brain Waves Rhode Island, who launched the program in 2016 when she was a postdoctoral neuroscience researcher at Brown.

Brown Brain Bee

A student group at Brown University that is organizing the Brain Fair.

Carney Institute for Brain Science

A Brown University institute that is supporting the Brain Fair.

Brain Waves Rhode Island

A program that has collaborated with Brown students to organize the Brain Fair since 2016.

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What they’re saying

“The research being conducted here in Rhode Island is incredibly diverse. From genetics and physics to physiology and psychology, I hope the public can see that neuroscience isn't just one thing — it has so many facets. My goal is to help people discover the part of neuroscience that fascinates them most.”

— Lexi-Amber Hassell, Second-year neuroscience graduate student at Brown University (brown.edu)

“I co-founded the Brown Brain Fair because I knew people would be drawn to learning about how our brains make us human. 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.”

— Dr. Victoria Heimer-McGinn, Co-chair and president of Brain Waves Rhode Island (brown.edu)

What’s next

The 2026 Brown Brain Fair will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brown's Sayles Hall in Providence. Advance registration is required for the free, family-friendly event.

The takeaway

The Brown Brain Fair aims to make neuroscience accessible and engaging for both kids and adults, showcasing the diverse range of brain research happening in Rhode Island and inspiring the next generation of scientists and researchers.