The Brain Bus™
Would you like us to come to your school or event?
Email: foundation@neurotucson.com
Call: 520- 529-5211
Or
Upcoming Brain Bus Events
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Monday, June 23, 10:00 - 11:00
5 Senses Presentation
Joel D. Valdez Main Library
101 N. Stone Ave.
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What is the Brain Bus?
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.
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Topics include:
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Prenatal and baby brain development
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Adolescent brain development
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Nutrition
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Physical activity
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Injury prevention
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Literacy
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The aging brain
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Disease prevention
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Common clinical disorders
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and more!
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
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Provide a school and family-friendly setting filled with content-rich, enjoyable activities that engage K-12 student to learn about the brain health.
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Increase public awareness of the amazing capacity of the brain, how it develops, how it ages, and how to protect it.
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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.
New and Improved Brain Bus!
The ceiling of the Brain Bus got a facelift!




Previous Brain Bus Events

Brain Games at Watermark's Hacienda at the Canyon
Saturday, May 3, 2025
The staff at Watermark's Hacienda at the Canyon treated our volunteers like royalty. They thoughtfully set up tents, tables, and chairs in the lush courtyard, creating a welcoming space for neuroscience demonstrations and activities. Community members were excited to learn about the wonders of the brain, and everyone enjoyed delicious, brain-healthy gourmet food before heading out.

Family STEAM Night at Pima Community College Northwest
Friday, May 2, 2025
The beautiful Pima Community College Northwest Campus provided the perfect setting for Family STEAM Night. Volunteers shared engaging neuroscience information with attendees of all ages and took time to explore some of the other fascinating science exhibits before the sun set.

All in for Autism
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Tucson Convention Center was barely big enough to hold all of the celebrities and attendees at this event. Our volunteers stayed busy leading neuroscience activities and explaining all about the amazing brain.

JTED Health Care Fair
Saturday, April 12, 2025
On a very warm April day, volunteers were grateful for the shade during this event. JTED students enjoyed meeting graduate students and healthcare professionals as they explored neuroscience activities and examined animal brain specimens.

Vail High School and Academy Boxer Expo
Friday, April 11, 2025
Students and their families included the Brain Bus on their visits to the various STEAM exhibits. Everyone was fascinated with the Brain Zoo and learning about neuroplasticity by tossing bean bags wearing prism glasses.

Cyclovia
Sunday, April 6, 2025
This event is always very festive and lots of fun for everyone. In fact, we used this opportunity to celebrate volunteers! There was a giant submarine sandwich, a bucket of frozen fruit packed beverage, and new EACH BRAIN MATTERS t-shirts. Passing cyclists enjoyed the Brain Bus activities.

Junior League of Tucson's Touch-a-Truck Event
Saturday, April 5, 2025
There were 1,000's of families at Kino Sport's Complex for the Junior League's annual event. Everyone enjoyed the neuroscience activities and these two lovely princesses were enamored with the Brain Bus itself.

Sahuarita Library
March 26, 2025
We had a great time with our friends to the south at Pima County Library's Sahuarita branch. The Brain Zoo was a favorite attraction, but children and adults alike also enjoyed the challenge of the Mirror Box.

Tucson Festival of Books - Science City
Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16, 2025
What an incredible weekend! Hundreds of people visited the Brain Bus to see our new Brain Zoo, try out a mirror box, experience some cerebellum activities, and toss bean bags to gain an understanding of neuroplasticity. Our volunteers were helping everyone learn about, care for, and appreciate their amazing brains.

TMC's Safety First Saturday
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Although the Brain Bus did not enter the Tucson Mall, the volunteers conducted many of the same activities and interacted with hundreds of families. Children were invited to shape small heads out of dough, with the option to encase their creations in plastic Easter eggs before dropping them from a 4-foot ladder, highlighting the importance of wearing helmets.

Children's Museum Tucson Family SciFEST
Satiurday, February 15, 2025
The weather was beautiful and the volunteers were amazing. Everyone had a great time with over 1,000 visitors to the Brain Bus at Children's Museum Tucson.

Prince Elementary School
February 13, 2025
Family STEM Night was the perfect occasion for the Brain Bus to drive on the the field at Prince Elementary School and share neuroscience activities with students and their families. The staff even joined in on the fun and learned that mirror boxes are a wonderful example of growth-mindset.

Sunrise Drive Elementary School Science Day
January 15, 2025
Sunrise Drive Elementary School invited the Brain Bus and The Center for Neurosciences Volunteers to participate in their Science Day. Over 500 K - 5 students tried out the neuroscience activities and learned something new about their amazing brains.

Ronald McDonald House Walk for Kids' Sake
December 8, 2024
The Brain Bus arrived at the University of Arizona at 6:30 am to get ready for the 100's of visitors participating in the annual fundraising event for Ronald McDonald House. Volunteers were thankful for the hot chocolate in the chilly morning.

Girl Scout Thin Mint Sprint
December 7, 2024
This colorful event was exciting and the Brain Bus volunteers were very busy before and after the sprint. We were parked right behind the Bling Bus.

Leman Academy of Excellence East
December 3, 2024
The Brain Bus was invited to share neuroscience information with all five second grade classes. Parent volunteers helped lead the activities, which made the afternoon even more fun for everyone.

Truly Nolen Car Show and Community Fair
November 9, 2024
This was the perfect event for two volunteers who both like neuroscience and cool cars. We all enjoyed meeting people of all ages and our guests learned about the amazing brain. The weather was perfect!

Grijalva Elementary School STEAM Family Night
November 7, 2024
The staff, students, and families stopped by the brain bus on their way in and out of Grijalva Elementary School's STEAM Night. Even though it was a little chilly for the volunteers, everyone had a great time.

Cyclovia
October 27, 2024
We positioned the Brain Bus across the street from Ochoa Community School and then we had an afternoon visit from Steve Ochoa. It was a busy day for our volunteers, who interacted with many of the cyclists, skaters, and pedestrians passing along the route.

TMC's Spooktacular Saturday
October 26, 2024
The Brain Bus made it all the way out to TMC's Rincon Campus and the dedicated volunteers arrived to lead neuroscience activities to over 1,500 costumed children and adults on a record breaking hot day in October.

Hacienda on the River Community Fair
October 5, 2024
Watermark's Hacienda on the River hosted a community fair and The Center for Neurosciences Foundation's volunteers were on hand to share information and enjoy a terrific lunch.

Badges and Backpacks
August 1, 2024
Many celebrities were on hand to pass out backpacks and help get the kids ready for back to school at Pima County Sheriff's Department's Badges and Backpacks. Everyone who stopped at the Brain Bus received some breathing tips.

Pima Air and Space Museum
June 15, 2024
The giant planes at the Pima Air and Space Museum dwarfed the Brain Bus at "Night Wings" STEAM event. There were many visitors who enjoyed trying out some neuroscience activities. Volunteers included Whole Foods Staff members. ​

Green Valley Library
June 5, 2024
The Green Valley Library is quite a distance for the Brain Bus to travel, but it was well worth the time to visit with the friendly folks down south. ​​

Flowing Wells Library
May 11, 2024
The Brain Bus was parked outside at the Flowing Wells Library before everyone moved into the classroom for a lesson on Brain Anatomy and Neurons. ​​

Wilmot Library
May 4, 2024
As part of Pima County Library's Synapse Program, the Brain Bus parked in the parking lot at Wilmot Library. Volunteers enjoyed leading activities with children before heading indoors to deliver a lesson on Brain Anatomy.​​

STEAM Night at Donaldson Elementary School
April 25, 2024
Brain BuThe 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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JTED Health Fair
April 20, 2024
It was fun to share neuroscience activities with the future health care providers and other JTED students. The Police and Fire Department representatives were drawn in by the ever popular mirror boxes. ​​

Sahuarita Library
April 17, 2024
We love the road trip to Sahuarita and residents love The Brain Bus! The Stroop Test was a popular activity, along with the Braille samples. ​​

All in for Autism at Tucson Convention Center
April 14, 2024
The Brain Bus was not allowed indoors, so volunteers carried all the supplies inside the Convention Center to lead activities for young and old. Volunteers even participated in the dance contest!​​

Boys and Girls Club
April 10, 2024
The Brain Bus made a stop at Boys and Girls Club to share neuroscience activities with children after their school day. It was a nice change from the usual activities and everyone learned a thing or two. ​

Boxer Expo at Vail Academy and High School
April 5, 2024
It was a very windy day, but the Brain Bus managed to blow over to Vail and share neuroscience activities with students and their parents.

Optum Community Center
March 20, 2024
The Brain Architecture Game is a tabletop experience designed to illustrate the profound impact of early life experiences on brain development—highlighting what fosters it, what hinders it, and the resulting consequences for society.

Tucson Festival of Books
March 9 - 10, 2024
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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Be Safe Saturday
March 2, 2024
This year, the event was held at Tucson Mall, where 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. Many of the eggs didn't survive the fall.

Tucson Children's Museum, Family SciFest
February 17, 2024
Children young and and old flocked to the Brain Bus to enjoy the activities. Volunteers were happy to spend a beautiful day outdoors.
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Whole Foods Market, River and Craycroft
January 20, 2024
The Brain Bus was parked right in front of the store for shoppers to enjoy meeting volunteers and listen to a few rounds of the Brain Bus song by the Sapiens.

University of Arizona, Arizona Bowl Tailgate Festival
December 30, 2023
Football Fans from Laramie Wyoming and Toledo Ohio visited the Brain Bus to visit with volunteers and learn about the brain. We never actually made it to the Football game, but sure had a great time at the Tailgate Festival.

Oro Valley Watermark Community
December 3, 2023
Residents, staff and family members joined our Brain Bus volunteers in the parking lot for neuroscience activities and beautiful weather.
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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.

Optum Community Center
November 15, 2023
Community Center participant took a break from the regularly scheduled activities to join the Brain Bus volunteers and learn about neuroscience.

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.

TMC Spooktacular Saturday
October 28, 2023
Costumed children and adults were excited to see the Brain Bus to try out the activities and collect some treats.
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Watermark - Hacienda at the River
October 21, 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. ​

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.

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.