A new interactive exhibit at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) uses research by Ohio State psychology faculty to highlight the vast abilities of the human brain. 

On display for the next two years, Seeing the Brain opened in October and is sponsored by the Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Brain Imaging (CCBBI), a College of Arts and Sciences research center housed in the Department of Psychology. A reception for faculty, staff and exhibit contributors took place Nov. 17 at the museum in downtown Columbus.

Psychology professor Dr. Ruchika Prakash, director of the CCBBI, said she led the collaboration with COSI to inspire the next generation of brain scientists.

"I've been fascinated by the brain ever since I saw an MRI image as a child," she said. "With this exhibit, we wanted to spark that same curiosity in every young child who visits COSI and wants to know more about the brain."

Located in COSI’s Life exhibition space, Seeing the Brain visualizes the different interconnected regions, or networks, of the human brain that are involved in a variety of everyday tasks and activities. Visitors use a touchscreen to select an activity—such as talking with a friend, making a mistake or feeling warm sunlight—and prompt the related network to light up in a translucent 3D brain nearby. An explanatory video also plays on a larger screen.
 

Museum visitors can select and learn about nine different everyday experiences, as well as the different brain networks involved in each. The visualizations draw on years of brain imaging research conducted by Ohio State faculty with the CCBBI’s fMRI scanner, a specialized machine that tracks brain activity as people respond to various stimuli.

Introducing science enthusiasts of all ages to the breadth of this research is a goal of Seeing the Brain, CCBBI staff said.

“Your brain is amazing, and we have many scientists at Ohio State studying different aspects of brain development and function,” explained Uyen Tram, the center’s Community Outreach Specialist. 

“If you’re interested in participating in a project to learn more about your brain or to contribute to brain research, you can do it right here in your own neighborhood.”

Planning for the exhibit began in 2022, shortly after COSI president and CEO Dr. Frederic Bertley (“Dr. B”) visited Prakash's lab to learn more about the science of mindfulness for his television show, QED with Dr. B. He suggested bringing the center’s research to the museum.

From there, a collaboration emerged. Along with COSI scientists and designers, CCBBI faculty and students brainstormed exhibit approaches, tested materials and drafted video scripts. Research Assistant Professor Adam Gorka worked closely with museum technologists to create and pair functional brain maps with programmable LED lights. 

Videos were also storyboarded, scripted and produced, many starring faculty members and their children.
 

"Our imaging center is home to passionate faculty, students and scientists who work together every day to make innovative discoveries about the brain," Prakash said. "For this exhibit, they even put on their acting hats to help bring science to life for visitors!"

Tram noted that the partnership with COSI was a natural one.

“Seeing the Brain was a great fit for COSI’s Life exhibit and supports CCBBI’s outreach mission of sharing our research and knowledge with the broader Columbus community,” she said.

Seeing the Brain is also not the only Ohio State psychology exhibit at COSI. Right across the room is the Language Pod, directed by developmental psychology professor Laura Wagner. Visitors to this on-site lab can participate in educational activities and research projects about human language development.

And just down the hall in the new Season of Celebrations exhibit, CCBBI brain scans, miniature 3D printed brains and Lego models of MRI machines decorate a brain science-themed Christmas tree.