Brain Awareness Week at the MAC 2026

On Saturday 21 March 2026, join researchers from the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Human Brain Health (CHBH), Birimingham Centre for Neurogenetics, Birmingham Drosophila Labs and Medical Neuroscience for a full day of hands‑on science, creativity and conversation as part of Brain Awareness Week 2026. This unique free family‑friendly event brings cutting‑edge brain research out of the lab and into the MAC.

Drop in at any time during the day to explore, experiment and connect with scientists working at the forefront of brain research.

What to expect

Explore the wonders of the human brain through interactive stations, live demos and craft activities designed for all ages:

🔬 See the brain in action

Demonstrations that show real‑time brain activity. Opportunities to speak with researchers about how patterns of brain activity relate to behaviour and decision‑making.

🧠 Hands‑on neuroscience

Learn how scientists measure and interpret signals from the brain. Build your own model brain using clay and craft materials. Play interactive games packed with fascinating brain facts.

🪰 Big brain questions, tiny flies

How does the brain decide what to do, and what happens when it goes wrong? Join researchers from the University of Birmingham’s fruit fly (Drosophila) labs to discover how brains control behaviour, change with age, recover from injury, and fail in disease.

Visitors will be able to see flies up close, learn how genetics helps us study the brain, and observe simple fly behaviours to understand how brain activity is turned into action.