Grantee Spotlight: FAU Brain Institute MobileMinds

Bringing Neuroscience to Underserved Students Across Palm Beach County

In 2020, Impact the Palm Beaches partnered with Florida Atlantic University’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute to bring an ambitious vision to life: deliver hands-on neuroscience education directly into underserved schools and community spaces. The result was MobileMinds—a vibrant, science-on-wheels program that turns curiosity into career inspiration.

Housed in a colorful van filled with interactive activities, MobileMinds travels to Title I schools, juvenile justice centers, and after-school programs. Students dissect sheep brains, model neural communication, and even explore human anatomy with augmented reality—experiences that make science tangible and open doors to future STEM careers.

From Seed Funding to Regional Impact

Impact’s $8,050 grant provided early seed funding for MobileMinds’ first van, sparking broader investment from the Heidenreich Family Foundation, the Stiles-Nicholson Foundation, and others. From reaching just 137 students in its first year, MobileMinds has now engaged more than 22,700 students across 55 schools in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties.

Meeting Students Where They Are

MobileMinds prioritizes Title I public schools and alternative education programs like Riviera Prep Academy, the St. Lucie Regional Juvenile Detention Center, and the Pace Center for Girls. It also partners with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, the West Palm Beach Police Athletic League, and the Edna Runner Tutorial Center, ensuring that students encounter neuroscience in environments where they already feel supported.

The Human Impact

For many students, MobileMinds is the first time they see themselves as future scientists. One middle schooler, captivated during a brain dissection, told his instructor: “I’m going to tell my mom everything I learned today. I want to be a neurosurgeon.” These moments embody the program’s mission—transforming abstract science into real opportunity.

Sustaining the Momentum

Despite its success, MobileMinds relies entirely on philanthropic support. With state and federal outreach funding eliminated, community investment is critical to sustain and expand this work. Schools are already booking visits months in advance, and additional resources are needed to support graduate student fellows, maintain equipment, and grow the program’s reach across South Florida.

Your Impact at Work

Impact the Palm Beaches’ early contribution helped launch a program that is now inspiring tens of thousands of students. By putting neuroscience into the hands of young learners, MobileMinds is not just teaching science—it’s building the next generation of innovators, doctors, and researchers right here in our community.

Learn more at wvrf.org