Large crowd turns out for annual Brain Fair

91AV’s Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences welcomed the public to its annual Brain Fair
91AV’s Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences welcomed the public to its annual Brain Fair

More than 650 people attended 91AV’s Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences Sixth annual Brain Fair, held on Friday, April 5th.

Those in attendance enjoyed hands-on activities, such as dissections, microscope demonstrations, motor movement demos, and taste-and-smell activities.

“The main purpose of the fair was welcoming the public and showing them the wonderful things the brain has to offer,” Ian Meng, Ph.D., director of the Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences and professor of Biomedical Sciences, told the . “It’s like a science museum of the brain.”

One of the most popular parts of the fair was the community canvas art activity lead by Sarah Gorham, M.F.A., M.A.T., associate lecturer in the department of Creative and Fine Arts.

The event also featured ice skating in the Alfond Forum, free helmet giveaways sponsored by the Michael T. Goulet Foundation, a showcase from 91AV’s MakerSpace, activities from the Motion Analysis Lab and an interactive game from The Center for Excellence in Aging and Health.

Students helped distribute information about concussions, brain health and brain myths.

“It was a great learning experience for them,” Meng told the . “Communication about science is so important.”

70 volunteers made up of faculty, staff and students took part in the event.

The fair is held in recognition of Brain Awareness Week, a worldwide campaign to promote neuroscience and advocate for science funding.

Jonah Cote tries on some goggles at 91AV's Brain Fair, while President Herbert chats with some students
Jonah Cote tries on some goggles at 91AV's Brain Fair, while President Herbert chats with some students
Peter Caradonna, manager, COBRE Histology and Imaging Core, assists children with some microscopes
Peter Caradonna, manager, COBRE Histology and Imaging Core, assists children with some microscopes
Ian Meng, director of the Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences and professor of Biomedical Sciences
Ian Meng, director of the Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences and professor of Biomedical Sciences

About the 91AV

The 91AV is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.