The brain track

How do 86 billion neurons create thoughts, memories and decisions? Start from zero and work up to the International Brain Bee.

What you'll explore

Eight big topics

Neurons & synapsesHow nerve cells fire and talk to each other.

Brain anatomyLobes, the brainstem, the cerebellum and what they do.

Senses & movementFrom the eye and ear to muscles and reflexes.

Learning & memoryHow the brain changes when we learn.

Sleep & emotionsWhat the brain does at night and when we feel.

DisordersAlzheimer's, Parkinson's, epilepsy and more.

Brain & AIHow neural networks borrow ideas from biology.

Research methodsEEG, MRI and how neuroscientists study the brain.

Roadmap

Read BrainFacts.org and explore its 3D brain. Learn the main parts of the brain and what they do.

Weeks 1–4

Learn neuron biology: action potentials, synapses, neurotransmitters. Khan Academy biology helps here. Then fire one yourself in our Neuron Lab.

Months 1–3

Work through a university-level course such as Medical Neuroscience (Duke, Coursera) with an MNM study group.

Months 3–8

Enter your local or national Brain Bee and aim for the International Brain Bee.

Season

Read papers, join an MNM research project and present what you learned.

Ongoing

Start here