Rowan-Virtua TBES neuroscience students host Brain Awareness STEM Night in Maple Shade

PhD students in the Neuroscience Graduate Program of Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering and Sciences (Department of Neuroscience at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine) partnered with RJ Steinhauer Elementary School on March 17 to host a community Brain Awareness STEM Night, transforming the school into an evening science fair focused on neuroscience, medicine and hands-on discovery.

Held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Maple Shade elementary school, the event invited students, families and community members to explore interactive demonstrations and presentations designed to make brain science engaging and accessible. Approximately 10 graduate students from Rowan’s Neuroscience Graduate Program led the Brain Awareness portion of the program, guiding attendees through activities such as viewing brain sections under a microscope and examining human brains and spinal cord specimens.

The event was part of international Brain Awareness Week 2026, a global initiative held March 16-22 and supported by the Dana Foundation and the International Brain Research Organization.

“Outreach to our local communities on behalf of science and science professionals is important now more than ever, so the general public can understand and appreciate the significance, high standards, and culture of scientific discovery,” said Dr. Barry Waterhouse, professor and chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Rowan-Virtua SOM. “Moreover, this program is enriching because it makes children aware of career opportunities in STEM. Seeing their eyes light up when presented with facts about the brain is amazing.”

Families also visited tables hosted by regional organizations and universities, including The Franklin Institute, Temple University, Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, Virtua Mobile Grocery Store, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

The outreach effort builds on a partnership that began in 2018 with classroom presentations for sixth-grade students and has expanded in recent years. This year marked the first time the program included a community-wide STEM night, supported by external grant funding, in addition to a daytime presentation held March 13.

Organizers said the goal of the initiative is to share neuroscience with the Maple Shade community and provide a fun, educational experience in a familiar neighborhood setting, with a focus on expanding access to STEM learning opportunities for students and families.

The event was open to the public and welcomed attendees of all ages.