Sparking Curiosity; Grant Expands Flagship Neuroscience Event

by Chelsey Matheson | Friday, Apr 17, 2026
A young boy wearing a red cap and orange T-shirt stands at a table facing a seated man in a teal “Neuro Squad” shirt, who has a white sensor headband on his forehead. Between them is a small device with buttons and upright components, suggesting a hands-on brain or neuroscience activity. In the background, several people gather around a booth with a “Max Planck Թ Institute for Neuroscience” banner, along with microscopes and science materials, creating the atmosphere of an interactive science exhibit.

Թ’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute (SNBI) expanded its popular Brain Sparks community event thanks to a grant from the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO).

The IBRO/Dana Brain Awareness Week Grants support activities that increase awareness about the brain and neuroscience research by funding outreach and awareness campaigns, particularly in regions challenged by lack of resources, support and public understanding of the brain.

SNBI’s ASCEND program (Advancing STEM-Community Engagement through Neuroscience Discovery) hosts Brain Sparks each year during Brain Awareness Week in March at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach. The pop-up neuroscience experience is designed to spark curiosity about neuroscience and brain function through unique and engaging hands-on activities led by professional neuroscientists and their trainees. More than 450 children and adults participated in the experience this year.

The ASCEND program received a $1,250 grant to enhance Brain Sparks and expand the variety of hands-on activities available to participants. The funds supported additional materials and interactive stations that helped deepen engagement and give attendees more opportunities to explore brain science concepts in a fun, accessible way. The funding also helped reach more families in the community and elevate the overall impact of the event.

“Brain Sparks is all about showing that brain science is fun and truly for everyone,” said Nicole Baganz, Ph.D., director of community engagement at SNBI. “We love seeing not just kids, but parents and even grandparents get excited—especially when they’re proudly walking around the museum in their ‘brain caps.’ With support from IBRO, we were able to expand these hands-on experiences and bring even more moments of curiosity and connection to our community.”

Brain Sparks was held on Saturday, March 21, in partnership with the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, Max Planck Թ Institute for Neuroscience and the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute. The program is part of SNBI’s annual Brainy Days, a monthlong celebration of neuroscience featuring events to educate and engage the community about the benefits of brain research.

To learn more about SNBI’s community programs, visit .

A young child sits at a table while an adult places a small adhesive pad on the side of the child’s head. Across from them, a smiling man wearing glasses and a teal “Neuro Squad” T-shirt engages with the child. Another person in a similar shirt sits nearby. The table holds papers, markers, and a device with buttons, suggesting a hands-on science or educational activity.
FAU's Brain Sparks event makes neuroscience accessible to everyone through fun, engaging educational activities.

Two individuals sit behind a table wearing turquoise t-shirts that say "Neuro Squad" with a brain outline. One person wears black gloves and holds a clear display container with specimens. On the table are aluminum trays with preserved sheep brain specimens.
Brain Sparks activities are led by professional neuroscientists and their trainees.

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