On Thursday, November 13, 2025, the CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging at EPFL together with Siemens Healthineers opened its doors to ten bright and enthusiastic schoolchildren for the annual Journée Oser tous les Métiers (JOM). Dedicated to expanding horizons and breaking down stereotypes, JOM Day once again transformed EPFL’s imaging ecosystem into a vibrant laboratory of discovery, hands-on learning, and scientific wonder.
As the children arrived, the day kicked off with a warm welcome and an energetic ice-breaker game that quickly turned strangers into teammates. With the atmosphere set and curiosity already taking root, the group launched into their first learning adventure: an interactive exploration of brain development and neural connectivity. Armed with real-size 3D-printed brains, the young participants traced how neural networks evolve across childhood and adolescence, discovering how complex, dynamic, and beautifully structured our thinking machinery really is.
The morning continued inside the CIBM’s Pre-Clinical MRI facilities, where the children visited the scanner rooms and learned how magnetic resonance imaging allows researchers to visualize the living brain. Children had the opportunity to learn about care and animal well-being. The group then gathered for a lively scientific talk by neuroscientist Maude Girardin, who guided them through the world of neural networks.
After a typical EPFL foodtruck experience, the adventure continued with a series of dynamic, hands-on activities. The children stepped into a game called “Scan Your Body,” learning how biomedical images are acquired and how clinicians interpret them. A visit to the impressive 7-Tesla MRI scanner offered a rare chance to see one of the world’s most powerful human imaging technologies up close, making the invisible suddenly tangible.
The momentum continued as everyone rolled up their sleeves to build cardboard MRI scanner models, then an MRI quiz tested their new knowledge, followed by one of the day’s highlights: a role-playing exercise titled Dans la peau d’un radiologue. Equipped with sample scans, the children practiced reading images and learned how radiologists identify abnormalities and guide diagnoses.
The final stop of the day brought the group into the RF (radiofrequency) laboratory, where children were explained how MRI antennas, essential components of every scanner, are designed, built, and continuously improved. The children then visited the 3D printer to receive their own personalized key holders, a hands-on demonstration of how engineering and creativity intersect in modern biomedical imaging.
By late afternoon, the young explorers headed home with 3D-printed souvenirs, new scientific vocabulary, and a clearer sense of the many paths that science and technology can offer.
A heartfelt thank-you to the JOM initiative, the CIBM teams, Siemens Healthineers, and the many researchers and engineers who made this day possible. By expanding access to real-world science and nurturing curiosity, we help shape a future where every child can envision becoming a discoverer.
