Designed and run entirely by SWBio DTP students, the Brain Box Stall brought an immersive educational experience delving into the mysteries of the brain to the Science Futures area of Glastonbury Festival 2024. The aim of the stall was to highlight the beauty and complexity of the brain through games, artwork, and brain teasers.  

The stall had a profound impact on attendees by transforming complex neuroscience concepts into accessible and engaging experiences.

The walls of the stall were decorated with eye-catching posters that described interesting areas of neuroscience, such as how drugs work, sleep hygiene, and animal brains, in a fun and engaging way. These were accompanied by beautiful neuroscience artwork provided by researchers from Bristol University, as well as other universities. Postcards hanging from the ceiling described SWBio DTP students’ research areas and in the middle of these hung a giant papier mache brain showing the functions of different areas of the brain.  

In one corner, a crafts table allowed festival goers to make pipe cleaner neurons that were hung up and displayed around stall, which was especially popular with families and kids. In another corner were a set of puzzles where attendees could learn about the anatomy of the brain. The most popular attractions were our neuroscience-themed sports. Outside the stall, festival goers could play darts while wearing prism goggles and learn about motor adaptation or answer neuroscience questions in a ring toss quiz.  

The stall attracted a wide range of festival goers, from families with young kids, to health practitioners, to large groups eager to beat their friends on the ring toss leaderboard.  From this immersive experience, festival attendees gained a deeper appreciation and understanding of the brain’s intricacies and the fascinating world of neuroscience, all while engaging in fun and interactive activities at one of the most recognisable musical and arts festival in the world.

Visit their Instagram page! - @brainboxstall