Brain Fair

The Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences at the University of New England created the annual Brain, Body, and Wellness Fair (formerly called the Brain Fair) to engage the local community in brain exploration. The fair promotes interest in STEM disciplines — neuroscience in particular — within the greater community. Students, professional staff, and faculty develop neuroscience-related hands-on activities and experiments for the general public, resulting in a science museum-like experience for the local community. The fair is held in celebration of Brain Awareness Week. All activities are free and open to the public. 

Fair events include ice skating, free helmet fittings and giveaways, concussion information hands-on microscopy exhibits, sheep brain and eyeball dissections, brain health and wellness information, optical illusions brain games, virtual reality demos, muscle stimulation, neuroscience art, learning and memory challenges, brain crafts, prizes, and more.

Created by UNE neuroscientists in recognition of Brain Awareness Week, our e-Library Brain Fair is a virtual science-themed library that contains e-books on topics like senses, brain anatomy, your brain and exercise, cells of the brain, and more. The books have links to videos and hands-on activities and are geared towards two different grade ranges, K–3 and 4–8. 

Held annually in the third week of March, Brain Awareness Week focuses on the need for brain research, brings awareness to brain and nervous system disorders, and promotes the wonders of the brain. A special thanks goes out to the city of Biddeford and Mayor Casavant for proclaiming March 15–21, 2021, Brain Awareness Week.

We would love to hear from you — let us know if you enjoyed these activities. Send pictures, comments, and or questions to cen@une.edu.

Visit the Brain Fair e-Library website