Raising the next generation of Renaissance thinkers
Students and visitors learn about the brain by utilizing authentic, state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation and exploring real data, including samples from a large collection of donated human brains.
Our neuroscience curriculum draws inspiration from the rich history of the interplay between art and science, notably embodied by the humanist artists of the Renaissance like Leonardo da Vinci. Our work with schoolchildren aims at creating a new, diverse generation of Reinassance thinkers who will approach world problems in currently unthinkable ways.
In practice, we teach scientific illustration alongside digital technologies and encourage students to experiment with different media to represent their inner thoughts and emotions.
We believe that art can heal and that it is the best means to reach and uplift at-risk youth who suffer under the weight of socioeconomic and emotional stressors. We want to stimulate personal artistic expression in young scholars while also offering them a more benign and relatable image of the world of science and showing pathways to successful careers in either field.
STEM at The Brain Observatory
The Brain Observatory offers immersive science experiences for students of all ages. Our programs blend neuroscience, creativity, and wellness to inspire the next generation of thinkers and explorers. Each experience is designed to complement classroom learning while providing hands-on engagement with real research, data, and real brains!
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Recommended Age Groups
🧸 Elementary (Grades 3-5)
🕹️ Middle School (Grades 6–9)
🎓 High School & College (Grades 9+ and undergraduate)🧸🕹️🎓 Brain Observatory Field Trip
4 hours | The Brain Observatory Headquarters in downtown San Diego
Students explore neuroscience through brain dissection, MRI review, and neuroart. The experience includes hands-on labs and structured modules aligned to Next Gen Science Standards. Ideal for STEAM and CCTE programs.🧸🕹️ The Brain Observatory Jr. (in School)
Weekly, Up to 30 sessions
This flexible afterschool program integrates neuroscience, mental health, and SEL through games, art, and interactive tech like EEG neurofeedback. Students create personal projects while learning about focus, emotions, and brain function. Field trips and guest scientists included.🕹️🧸 🎓 Lab Week
5-day format | School Breaks & summer
Lab Week blends science, creativity, and wellness through hands-on discovery. Students explore how the brain affects memory, emotion, and attention, and apply their learning through games, projects, and personal reflection. Ideal for STEAM and SEL goals. Offered as a summer camp also.🎓 Research Internships
12-18 weeks | Offered throughout the year
Interns work directly with neuroscience and cell biology researchers on real-world projects in brain imaging, pathology, immunology, and nanomedicine. Supports pre-med, capstone, or independent study pathways.
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Recommended Age Groups
🧸 Elementary (Grades PreK–4)
🕹️ Middle School (Grades 5–8)
🎓 High School & College (Grades 9+)🧸🕹️The Brain Observatory Jr.
Grades 4–8 | 30 sessions (2 hours/week)
The Brain Observatory Jr. is a flexible, weekly program that brings neuroscience, mental health, and socio-emotional learning into your school. Students explore the brain through games, creative projects, and interactive tools like EEG headsets for real-time neurofeedback. Topics include brain anatomy, focus and stress, and emotional regulation. Each student creates a personal project to showcase at year’s end. Ideal for SEL and STEM alignment.🧸🕹️🎓 The Brain Observatory Field Trip
Grades 4–12 | 4 hours | San Diego
This immersive field trip brings neuroscience to life through hands-on exploration of real human brains, neuroimaging technology, and data visualization. Students rotate through four structured sessions covering cognitive science, brain dissection, MRI and CT interpretation, and brain-inspired art. Hosted in our downtown teaching lab and gallery, the experience integrates Next Gen Science Standards with engaging, age-appropriate content. Students practice lab safety, learn research ethics, and explore real-world career pathways.🎓 Lab Week
Ages 9–12 | 5-day format | Available during summer or winter breaks
Lab Week is a 5-day immersive program that invites students to explore the inner workings of the brain through science, art, and movement. Designed for independent middle school learners, the experience combines hands-on neuroscience with playful activities that promote focus, emotional awareness, and curiosity. Students investigate how the brain influences behavior, memory, sleep, and creativity — and how they can take care of their own minds and bodies.🎓 Research Internships
High school and college students | Custom schedules
Our internship program offers students direct access to research in neuroscience and cell biology. Interns may work with Dr. Jacopo Annese on brain digitization and imaging, or with Dr. Katarzyna Brzezicka on immunology and nanomedicine. Projects support capstone work, independent study, or pre-med prep. Students gain experience in lab techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication.
The Brain Observatory for Teachers
Professional Learning and Curriculum Support for K–12 Educators
The Brain Observatory for Teachers is a professional development program designed to help educators bring accurate, engaging neuroscience into the classroom. Led by cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Jacopo Annese, the experience combines scientific insight with hands-on support to strengthen both content knowledge and curriculum design.
In addition to exploring how the brain learns, regulates emotion, and responds to stress, educators receive guidance in curating their own teaching materials. Participants are invited to submit lessons, slides, or visual aids for scientific review and design feedback — ensuring their content is cohesive, up-to-date, and age-appropriate.
Educators leave with new knowledge, refined materials, and a deeper understanding of how neuroscience can support student learning and well-being.
Program formats:
1-Day Intensive (concepts + curriculum clinic)
3-Day Institute (labs, co-design, and instructional strategy sessions)
CEUs available in partnership with SDCOE
Custom sessions available for schools and districts
Professional Development, Curriculum Support, and Consultation Request
Do you teach about the brain? Want to make sure your content is accurate, engaging, and scientifically grounded?
This form is for K–12 educators seeking support from The Brain Observatory, including lesson plan review, curriculum consultation, visual curation, and access to professional learning opportunities.
We’re here to help you bring neuroscience into the classroom with confidence.
The Brain Observatory for Teachers
Professional Learning and Curriculum Support for K–12 Educators
The Brain Observatory for Teachers is a professional development program designed to help educators bring accurate, engaging neuroscience into the classroom. Led by cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Jacopo Annese, the experience combines scientific insight with hands-on support to strengthen both content knowledge and curriculum design.
In addition to exploring how the brain learns, regulates emotion, and responds to stress, educators receive guidance in curating their own teaching materials. Participants are invited to submit lessons, slides, or visual aids for scientific review and design feedback — ensuring their content is cohesive, up-to-date, and age-appropriate.
Educators leave with new knowledge, refined materials, and a deeper understanding of how neuroscience can support student learning and well-being.
Program formats:
1-Day Intensive (concepts + curriculum clinic)
3-Day Institute (labs, co-design, and instructional strategy sessions)
CEUs available in partnership with SDCOE
Custom sessions available for schools and districts
Professional Development, Curriculum Support, and Consultation Request
Do you teach about the brain? Want to make sure your content is accurate, engaging, and scientifically grounded?
This form is for K–12 educators seeking support from The Brain Observatory, including lesson plan review, curriculum consultation, visual curation, and access to professional learning opportunities. We’re here to help you bring neuroscience into the classroom with confidence.
Young Brain Explorer Training
Illustration by Matteo Farinella
The brain is our inner universe, and like the universe, it is still largely unexplored. Furthermore, the human brain is so incredibly complex that we believe its mysteries can only be explained through a mix of diverse backgrounds, cultural perspectives, talents, and skills. Every year, The Young Brain Explorer Training program recruits a new crew of young artists and scientists to embark on a mission to chart different territories of the brain and map their functions.
The program is a voyage across brain landscapes during which students learn to associate neurological structures with different aspects of their behavior and lifestyle. In practice, our explorers in training learn about the brain and brain function through sports activities, and games, and by testing their talents in the visual and performing arts. At the end of the journey, students will have gained a brand new perspective on what makes them who they are and, most importantly, they will have more agency and control over their thoughts and actions.