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Who We Are

BrainReach is an award-winning, not-for-profit, community outreach program managed by graduate students in the Integrated Program in Neuroscience (IPN) at McGill University. We provide fun, interactive neuroscience-based workshops to young students at the elementary (Grade 4) and high school (Secondary 3) level in under-resourced neighbourhoods around Montreal. IPN is the largest neuroscience graduate program in Canada, with over 320 Masters and Ph.D. students - we're perfect for this role.  ​

Our Mission

We want to extend the enthusiasm for science shown by our graduate students into Montreal's classrooms, and show these students that:
  • Science is interesting
  • Science is fun
  • Science is important
  • They can do it!
We hope to reach as many children as possible and educate them on how their brains function, remove the stigma of mental illness by teaching them the biological basis of mental disorders, and increase understanding of what it is to be a scientist. BrainReach is just the beginning of what we hope will become an established supplement to science teaching in Montreal's schools. 

What We Do

Each month, for six to eight months, IPN graduate students visit the same classrooms at the chosen schools. They lead a 45-60 minute interactive workshop, created with "brain based learning" in mind and specially designed to captivate young minds. Each month, they present a different facet of neuroscience that is relevant to the pupils.

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Upcoming Events

  • Blue: volunteer-focused events
  • Red: public-focused events 
  • Green: teacher-focused events
In our past season, we had over 100 BrainReach educators teach at over 30 elementary and high schools in both French and English. We reach over 1000 students each year! 
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Neuroscience defines who and what we are; its study is ideal for engaging pupils - who are still discovering themselves, and exploring what and who they intend to become. Having enthusiastic young neuroscientists teach students allows them to share their passion for neuroscience and learning in general. Further, this becomes a valuable opportunity for graduate students to learn the art of teaching.

Awards & Media
BrainReach