University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Project NEURON at Society for Neuroscience, 2012

October 12, 2012 - 12:53pm -- Logan H. Lauren

"Changing student minds: neuroscience as a bridge between science and society." That is the theme for our poster this year at the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting in New Orleans. Our poster concentrates on our newest Toxicant and Drug units that examine the driving question, "What changes our minds?" Here is a summary from our abstract:

Our society is increasingly affected by policy issues that are related to scientific or technological concepts. A challenge for today’s educators is to prepare students to understand and respond to these issues as responsible citizens... Because neuroscientific findings have broad societal impact, educational material designed around neuroscience research is well-suited to incorporate both basic science concepts and public policy issues.

We have developed a pair of high school biology educational modules that address the question, “What changes our minds?” In an opening lesson, students are prompted to consider the possible effects of a variety of substances on brain function and behavior. Two sets of lessons then allow students to explore the effects of environmental exposure to toxins and toxicants or consumption of dietary and pharmaceutical drugs on the brain. “Brain-changing” effects, ranging from the molecular to the behavioral level, are taught through a variety of hands-on, electronic, and reading-based activities. Connections to ongoing basic neuroscience research projects at the University of Illinois are emphasized throughout, and used to extend student understanding of scientific method.

Each set of lessons culminates in a final lesson designed to help students explicitly consider how science can inform decisions regarding exposure to neuroactive substances, as a society and as an individual. This curriculum will not only educate students about the specific issues addressed, but also leave them with the tools to respond to other science policy issues they encounter.

Please stop by and see us on Saturday, October 13 between 1:00 - 5:00 PM!