K-12 Neuroscience Education Outreach Program: Interactive Activities for Educating Students about Neuroscience

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience education
• K-12 science outreach
• Undergraduate STEM education

Background:

• The University of New England's Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences established a K-12 outreach program.
• The program aims to increase neuroscience awareness and supplement school science curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a K-12 neuroscience outreach program on K-12 student interest and undergraduate skill development.
• To assess the effectiveness of a team-based curriculum design and a "Grow-up, Grow-out" thematic approach.

Main Methods:

• Developed interactive lesson plans on core neuroscience themes (Brain Safety, Neuroanatomy, Drugs of Abuse, Neurological Disorders, Cognition).
• Implemented a "Grow-up, Grow-out" approach, increasing complexity and integrating other scientific fields.
• Utilized a team-based curriculum design involving undergraduate, graduate/professional students, and faculty for multi-level mentoring.

Main Results:

• Preliminary assessments indicate undergraduates perceive enhanced content knowledge and professional skills.
• The program demonstrates a significant short-term impact on K-12 students' interest in science.
• The team-based model provides effective multi-level mentoring opportunities.

Conclusions:

• The neuroscience outreach program successfully enhances the academic experience for undergraduates.
• The initiative effectively stimulates K-12 students' interest in neuroscience and science.
• The program's innovative curriculum design and mentoring model contribute to its success.