Columbia University in the City of New York

Curiosity Corner

A place for students, teachers and parents to discover the questions that real scientists are asking about the brain!

Choosing This or That

Every action begins with a choice. Some are simple. Others are hard. Investigate how the brain deals with decision and indecision.

 

 

 

Our Brains and Bodies on the Go

Movement is crucial for life, from a quick escape to the vibrations underlying speech. Explore how the nervous system moves body parts.

 

 

 

The Origins of Illness

Many brain diseases and disorders remain mysterious. Examine how knowledge about the healthy brain can help us understand what can go wrong.

 

 

 

Remembering the Past, Preparing for the Future

We are the sum of our memories. Dive into how processing the past helps us plan for the future.

 

 

 

Building Smart Tools

New technologies help scientists learn more about the brain. Discover the tools showing us things never seen before. 

 

 

 

Sights, Sounds, and Other Senses

We experience life through our senses. Discover how they are the windows through which the brain understands the world.

 

  

 

Growing Up, Cell by Cell

The human brain has nearly 90 billion neurons. See how their development lays the foundation for every thought, memory, movement, and sensation.

 

 

 

Your Brain, the Computer?

The human brain is more powerful than the best supercomputer. Explore the computations that allow it to do all that it does.

 

 

 

Evolving with the Times

Brains change over time. Investigate the similarities between our brains and those of other animals.

 

Teachers! Dive deeper

Check out our BrainSTEM resources