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The Brain Bus

Would you like us to come to your school or event?

What is the Brain Bus?

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The Brain Bus is a mobile neuroscience laboratory that empowers communities and enriches the lives of Southern Arizonans.  Our curriculum covers K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 grade education, along with adult education. 

Topics include:

  • Prenatal and baby brain development

  • Adolescent brain development

  • Nutrition

  • Physical activity

  • Injury prevention

  • Literacy

  • The aging brain

  • Disease prevention

  • Common clinical disorders

  • and more!

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Three of our board members, Abhay Sanan, MD, Nadia Fike, MD, PhD and Lynne Oland, PhD, are uniquely qualified to oversee this project.  As physicians, Dr. Sanan and Dr. Fike see the effects of brain and nervous system diseases every day.  As scientists, Dr. Fike and Dr. Oland have studied the cells of the brain and nervous system, as well as the functional circuits that process information, cognition, and mediate behavior. 

Brain Bus Goals

  • Provide a school and family-friendly setting filled with content-rich, enjoyable activities that engage K-12 student to learn about the brain health.

  • Increase public awareness of the amazing capacity of the brain, how it develops, how it ages, and how to protect it.

  • Create opportunities for partnerships with teachers, providers, and non-profit organizations interested in brain health, learning/education, and brain rehabilitation that will bring knowledge about the brain to the public.

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New and Improved Brain Bus!

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Artist: ​Keerthi Kurian, 2020

The ceiling of the Brain Bus got a facelift!

We can't wait until the Brain Bus is back again and available to the public. We hope everyone will get to expereince this amazing artwork and get back to all the fun the bus has to offer. Updates will be made when the Brain Bus is active once again. We hope to see you soon!

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Previous Brain Bus Events

Pima Community College NW, SARSEF STEM Adventure

November 17, 2023

 

Students from all over Southern Arizona were bussed to the campus for STEM Adventure. Even the security guard found something new to try. 

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Truly Nolen Car Show

November 11, 2023

 

Beautiful weather greeted the Brain Bus at the Truly Nolen Campus, where the competition for the hottest vehicle was rough. Luckily, there were also plenty of people eager to learn about the brain. 

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TMC Spooktacular Saturday

October 28, 2023

Costumed children and adults were excited to see the Brain Bus and try out the activities and collect some treats. 

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Watermark - Hacienda at the River

October 24, 2023

The Hacienda at the River invited the Brain Bus to attend their health fair. Residents, their family members and staff enjoyed meeting our volunteers and trying out some of the neuroscience activities. 

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Girl Scout Thin Mint Sprint

September 24, 2023 

 

Before and after the race, girl scouts and their fans visited the Brain Bus for some Neuroscience activities to learn about the Brain. The found it challenging to high five in prism glasses.  

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Pima County Sheriff Department's Badges and Backpacks

June 17, 2023

 

Students preparing for back to school visited the Brain Bus to participate in Neuroscience activities and create a neuron to attach to their new backpacks. 

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Be Safe Saturday

March 18, 2023 

 

We were showing kids and their families how to keep their brains protected and encouraging helmet wearing. Participants created "helmets" for raw eggs and we dropped them off a ladder. One firefighter, who visited the Brain Bus, was proud to show that his egg survived the fall. 

Tucson Festival of Books

March 12 - 13, 2023

 

The Brain Bus was at Science City on the U of A mall. Hundreds of people visited to try some  of our fun neuroscience activities and learn about their amazing brains!
 

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Family SciFest

February 18, 2023

 

Great weather greeted the Brain Bus and some new volunteers at the Children’s Museum for Family SciFest. Children and adults were fascinated with the Brain Zoo.

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