Backyard Brains

Backyard Brains makes neuroscience accessible to everyone. We develop affordable, open-source tools that bring real brain science into classrooms, labs, and homes around the world. Our hands-on kits let students record and explore neural, muscle, and heart signals using the same principles as professional researchers. From middle school to graduate level, our experiments turn complex concepts into engaging, measurable experiences. Students can observe how neurons fire, measure brainwaves, and even control neuroprosthetics—no advanced lab required. Used in thousands of schools across more than 80 countries, our tools help educators spark curiosity and bring STEM to life. Recognized by the White House, NIH, and the Society for Neuroscience, our work is driven by a simple idea: Science should be open, exciting, and within everyone’s reach.