Backyard Brains Foundation
Neuroscience for everyone
Every student deserves the chance to discover how their brain works. We bring hands-on experiments, equipment, and teacher support to schools with limited resources, giving students room to ask questions, explore, and experience the excitement of doing science.
What we do
Bringing neuroscience into the classroom
Curiosity is a starting point. Students also need tools to explore their questions and teachers who feel ready to guide them. We help schools bring these pieces together.
Hands-on equipment
We provide tools that help students explore the nervous system through real experiments, from observing muscle activity to recording signals from living organisms.
Support for teachers
We help educators bring neuroscience into their lessons with teaching resources and practical guidance for using the equipment.
Learning with the community
Our events invite students and families to try experiments, ask questions, and discover something new together.
Why this work matters
Learning through discovery
Watching a heartbeat appear on a screen or hearing a neuron fire can turn an unfamiliar subject into something students can explore for themselves.
We want more students to have those moments. By helping schools overcome the cost of equipment and supporting teachers, we make room for curiosity, experimentation, and discovery in the classroom.
Join us
Upcoming Events
NOV
15–18
2026
Meet us at SfN 2026
Heading to Neuroscience 2026? Stop by and say hello. Let’s exchange ideas about hands-on experiments, classroom learning, and bringing neuroscience to more students and communities.
November 15–18, 2026 · Washington, D.C.
Backyard Brains · Booth 2135
JAN
14
2027
Your Nervous System, Live!
Join neuroscientist, TED speaker, and MIT Press co-author Greg Gage for hands-on experiments exploring your brain, nerves, and muscles, plus a glimpse into careers in neuroscience.
January 14, 2027 · 5–6 p.m.
Ypsilanti District Library, Whittaker branch
MAR
25
2027
Family Brain Night 2027
Bring your questions and your curiosity for a free evening of hands-on neuroscience. Explore your body’s electrical signals, try interactive demonstrations, and build a model neuron to take home.
Thursday, March 25, 2027 · 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Ypsilanti District Library
229 W. Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti
Free admissionEnglish and SpanishNo registration
Help more students make discoveries
Your support helps bring neuroscience equipment, teaching resources, and hands-on learning opportunities to schools with limited funding.
Whether you give, organize a fundraiser, or become a partner, you can help more students experience science for themselves.
