UW Virtual Brain Project

In the UW Virtual Brain Project™ VR experiences, you take guided tours through 3D models of perceptual systems in the human brain. See where stimuli from the world such as light, sound, and pressure activate sensory systems and send signals along a pathway that ultimately allows humans to see, hear, and feel the world around them. The model of the human brain was constructed from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data and the neural pathways were produced using probabilistic tractography when possible. During each guided tour, stop at information stations along the way that describe neural structures and functions in each perceptual system. The narration can be heard through the VR headset and read in captions that hover above your non-dominant hand. In a peer-reviewed study, results indicated that UW Virtual Brain Project™ lessons presented through VR are helpful for teaching functional neuroanatomy, and provide more enjoyable learning experiences than the same lessons displayed on a computer monitor. The UW Virtual Brain Project™ lessons can be used for casual exploration at home, to teach students course material in the classroom, and to spark public interest in science at science festivals and other community engagement events.