Brain Reach

[Brain Reach]

Brain Reach is a longstanding outreach initiative run by the Centre for Neuroscience Studies at Queen’s University. In this program, pairs of neuroscience graduate students visit local elementary schools to teach Grade 5 classes about the brain and nervous system.  This program is yearlong, including seven visits with curriculum that builds upon ideas throughout the year. 

 

About the initiative

This year, we introduced the topic of neurotechnology using interactive Backyard Brains™ demonstrations. Through these hands-on activities, Brain Reach aims to teach students about cutting-edge tools that drive scientific discovery, innovation, and societal progress. The program inspires young learners to pursue careers in STEM while also highlighting the responsibility and care required when developing and applying new technologies.

Highlights

01

Numbers last year

With 25 volunteers, we expanded our reach to include more rural and underserved communities, visiting 15 classrooms across 10 schools and engaging nearly 400 students. For 230 of these learners, Brain Reach will be a year-long journey of discovery alongside real neuroscientists.

 
02

Grants

 

Interested in the program?

Email us

brain_reach@queensu.ca

Program leads

Holly Crowson
Co-lead · PhD candidate, Neuroscience Studies
 
Kaitlyn Hoesterey
Co-lead · PhD candidate, Neuroscience Studies
 
Matthew Jacobs
Co-lead · PhD candidate, Neuroscience Studies
 
Matthew Suppa Modrusan
Co-lead · PhD candidate, Neuroscience Studies

At a glance

Grades5th grade students
Schools10 schools, 15 classrooms
Students230
Volunteers25

[Brain Model]

[Awesome Kingston Award]
Awesome Foundation Award 2025

Lesson material by session

This opening Brain Reach session introduces students to neuroscience and provides a simplified overview of the structure and function of the brain. Students explore what science is, what a neuroscientist does, basic brain anatomy, why the brain has folds, how the brain operates as a part of the nervous system, and how scientists view the brain using MRI. Students engage in discussion, observation, and a brain-matching activity comparing human and a variety of animal brains. 

Lesson plan (PDF)Slides (PPTX)Supplementary Material (PDF)

In this second Brain Reach session, students build on prior knowledge to explore the brain in more detail. Students examine the cortex and its four lobes, learn about hemispheres and contralateral control, and investigate additional structures such as the cerebellum and brainstem. The lesson then shifts to a microscopic level, introducing brain cells (neurons, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglia) and how neurons allow communication between the brain and body. The session concludes with a role-playing brain injury activity to apply understanding of functional responsibilities of each part of the brain. 

Bringing graduate researchers into the classroom helps to transform the ‘scientist’ from a far-away, unreachable concept into a very real person that young students can talk to and see themselves in.

Holly Crowson
Brain Reach Leadership