Hands on the brain, eyes on the future – Brain Awareness 2025
African Brain Child proudly launched an expanded and energised Brain Awareness Week (BAW) programme in March 2025 for both Grade 7 and 11 learners. In partnership with the Cape Town Science Centre and Yabonga, and with generous support from the Erlank Group and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
Getting to know the brain | Grade 7 Learners
Our Grade 7 learners spent a full day immersed in brain science, starting with hands-on sessions at the Neuroscience Institute. Through real brain specimens, interactive talks, and microscope demonstrations, students explored the brain’s structure and how it works—from the visible folds of the cortex to the cells that power thought.
Dr Nqobile Thango introduced the brain’s anatomy, while Maahir Kauchali guided learners through its microscopic structure using imaging of brain tissue slides. Talks by Prof Joe Raimondo and Simone Williams helped learners understand how the brain functions and how we can visualise it using modern imaging tools.
In the afternoon, learners visited the Cape Town Science Centre, where interactive exhibits reinforced the morning’s lessons through play, exploration, and experimentation.
A pre- and post-programme questionnaire showed a 45% increase in learners’ understanding of the brain—a clear reflection of how powerful immersive, real-world science experiences can be for young minds.
Discovering career Pathways | Grade 11 Learners
Our Grade 11 programme was designed to go beyond the basics of brain science—giving learners a window into the real people, diverse backgrounds, and unexpected journeys that shape a career in neuroscience.
Throughout the day, students heard from clinicians, researchers, and science communicators who shared not only what they do, but how they got there. Speakers reflected on what they wanted to be at 16, the degrees they studied, and the winding paths that led them to where they are today. A key message emerged: there is no single path into science—and every step, even a sideways one, can be part of the journey.
In each talk, learners discovered that neuroscience can be entered through medicine, psychology, biology, or even communication—and that passion, persistence, and curiosity are just as important as any qualification.
To measure the programme’s impact, we asked learners if they could see themselves becoming scientists. By the end of the day, the number of potential future scientists increased by 33%, showing how powerful it is to see relatable role models and hear real-life stories.
This day was about more than career guidance—it was about expanding possibility, building confidence, and showing that science has a place for everyone.
Taking a Message Home
my favourite talk today was about how to keep your brain protected all the time, because its sensitive you need to 'Be quick to click'
How can you preserve your brain health? "I will be quick to click when i'm on the ride"
I want to learn more about brain diseases and how I can help people in our community
Alongside the science and career inspiration, Brain Awareness Week placed strong emphasis on something deeply personal: how learners can care for their own brains.
Throughout both days, students were encouraged to reflect on the habits, choices, and environments that support a healthy brain—from sleep and nutrition, to mental well-being and emotional regulation. These messages were embedded in every session, with speakers weaving practical, age-relevant guidance into their presentations.
For Grade 11 learners in particular, conversations around stress, rest, and routine proved especially impactful. The talk “My Sleeping Brain is My Superpower” not only reframed common struggles with sleep into empowering science-based insights—it also stood out as the most popular session of the day, resonating with learners on both a personal and practical level.
By the end of the programme, students weren’t just more knowledgeable about the brain—they had also gained a clearer sense of how to protect and prioritise their own brain health, and why that matters for their future learning, choices, and well-being.
For many, this was the most memorable takeaway: that understanding the brain isn’t only for scientists—it’s for everyone.
