Last Tuesday I attended the opening of the Ontario Science Centre‘s latest exhibit, BRAIN: The Inside Story. This exhibit comes to Toronto while on tour from the American Museum of Natural History. It features some of the latest news in neuroscience, highlighting the brain’s ability to rewire itself in response to experience, disability or trauma, and showcases new technologies that researchers use to study the brain and treat some neurological conditions.

“The human brain is the most complex and fascinating biological structure known, and we are delighted to explore its many facets in BRAIN: The Inside Story,” said Dr. Maurice Bitran, CEO, Ontario Science Centre. “This exhibition illustrates how our brains work, and provides insights into what is currently one of the hottest and most promising fields in science today – neuroscience.”

As someone who loves learning about the brain and neuroscience, attending the opening of this exhibit was a real treat. Before going into the exhibit, you walk past a preserved human brain. From there, you enter the exhibit proper by walking under a tunnel of neurons (nerve cells), an art intallation by artist Daniel Canogar.

The exhibit continues with engaging illustrations, brain scan images, brain-teaser games, and other interactive exhibits that will entertain visitors of all ages. I had a fun time with some of the brain-teasers and memory games actually. I call these ‘brain calisthenics’. Other visuals help show the brain’s countless functions, including a multimedia video piece with a clear resin brain that lights up the functional areas used by a student dancer as you view a video that follows her while she auditions for Julliard. This is really interesting to see. As well, there is a deep-brain stimulation implant, the first of its kind on display in a museum. I found this part of the exhibit quite captivating.

The exhibit also features a ‘brain lounge’, where you can watch scans of the brain of a professional basketball player as he reacts to the whoosh of the net and the roar of the crowd. You can also see how a musician’s brain lights up to classical and rock music. This lounge, found towards the end of the exhibit, is an excellent place to regroup and sit down to learn even more fascinating facts about the brain.

Other fun highlights of the exhibit:
 • Picture-Sound Illusion: This exhibit tricks the brain into hearing sounds that aren’t there by exposing it to misguiding visual information, demonstrating how the brain integrates various senses, in this case, seeing and hearing.
 •London Map: Patterned on tests given to London taxi drivers, this exhibit illustrates how long-term memory can actually grow the human hippocampus, the part of the brain where spatial information is stored.
 • Neurotransmitters: This is like a ‘choose-your-own adventure’ type of activity. You push buttons to control the actions of a virtual character in an interactive story about decision-making. During various stages, you learn about brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), which play a role in different emotional states like wanting and distress.

The Ontario Science Centre’s researchers and programmers, are collaborating with experts at the Ontario Brain Institute, to offer a wide range of other interesting programming for BRAIN: The Inside Story. I would recommend the following:
• Research Live! where you are invited to contribute to real-life scientific studies that explore topics ranging from genetics to cognitive development.
 • BRAINfest! where you can have fun improving your memory, confusing your senses and testing your abilities with interactive activities and family-friendly brain games.

There is plenty to take in at BRAIN: The Inside Story. The brain is a fascinating organ that is worth exploring again and again. The exhibit runs until March 29, 2015; it is free with general admission.

For further information, please visit ontariosciencecentre.ca.