Use your brain!

That’s exactly what a group of students had the chance to do at the engaging and interactive Brain Fair hosted by the Neuroscience Equity and Unity (NEU) group at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital.

The 40-plus seventh-grade students from YES Prep Northbrook Middle School attended the Brain Fair in early April at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute. The event aimed to inspire and educate students about brain function, research methods and neurological disorders, aligning with NEU’s mission to promote equitable access and inclusive educational opportunities in neurosciences.

An interactive Brain Fair hosted by the Neuroscience Equity and Unity (NEU) group at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital.

YES Prep Northbrook Middle School, an open-enrollment public charter school serving Houston’s underserved communities, has a diverse student population: 90% first-generation college students, 97% African American and Hispanic, and 85% economically disadvantaged. The school maintains an impressive 90% graduation rate.

The day started in the NRI conference room, where students viewed a series of videos on the Texas Medical Center and Neuroscience 101, the latter collated from educational content by BrainFacts.org. During the fair, digital slides were displayed on wall monitors showcasing fun facts related to neuroscience / neurology, as well as notable Black or Hispanic neuroscientists or neurologists who have made significant contributions to history. These informative slides were created by child neurology residents Drs. Allison Stephens and Rachael Cheek and medical students from the BCM Latino Medical Student Association.

The Brain Fair also included various interactive exhibits such as EMG and EEG demos, neurovascular model building, exploring the physiology of taste with Miracle Berries, lab tours and more.

The NEU group, founded by pediatric neurology residents Dr. Mikael Guzman Karlsson and Dr. Ethan Edmondson, is comprised of pediatric and adult neurologists and neuroscientists from Baylor and Texas Children’s. The group unites disciplines, including clinical neurology, genetics, neuropsychology, pharmacology, healthcare administration, basic science and more, to promote equitable access and reduce social disparities in the neurosciences.

By Dana Benson