BRAIN SHOW

New York, NY

2012

Collaborators

Child Mind Institute

New York, NY 2012

Collaborators: Child Mind Institute

How might we make neuroscience cool for kids?

Despite the inherent fascination of the brain, neuroscience often feels inaccessible to the public. The goal was to bridge the gap between complex clinical research and youth engagement, creating a sustainable model for public awareness.

The Brain Show is an educational concept and public engagement strategy designed to make neuroscience accessible, relatable, and exciting for kids—and, over time, for people of all ages. Developed in collaboration with the Child Mind Institute, the project combines design-led research, co-design, and playful prototyping to create an experiential learning pathway.

CHALLANGE AND OPPORTURNITY

The project began with design-led research and ideation workshops involving both designers and neuroscientists. This collaborative process revealed that while neuroscience possesses the same "wonder factor" as space exploration, it lacks accessible touchpoints for public interaction.

Based on these insights, I co-developed a six-year strategic roadmap designed to scale in complexity:

Action Research Cycle

Phase 1: Entry Points. Interactive school programs designed to translate complex nervous system functions into relatable, experiential activities.

Phase 2: Expansion. Scaling youth programs into immersive pop-up exhibitions and adult learning platforms to broaden the demographic reach.

Phase 3: Systemic Integration. The final stage integrates these public touchpoints directly into the Child Mind Institute’s research process, turning the "show" into a participatory data-collection and knowledge-sharing ecosystems.

OUTCOME

The project established a framework for "Citizen Science," where public engagement generates both funding and future generations of scientists, while simultaneously demystifying the brain through design-led experience.