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A role for neuroscientists in engaging young minds

Nature Reviews Neuroscience volume 4, pages 763–768 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Neuroscience receives little attention in elementary school education, although students at this age are active explorers of their environment and can relate easily to exercises that involve the science of their senses. The neuroscientist has an important role in supporting elementary educators who might be uncomfortable with teaching science. To encourage such scientist–teacher interactions, changes must be made in the culture of the scientific community to promote these partnerships, with the ultimate goal of improving neuroscience literacy.

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Figure 1: Exhibits at the Oregon Health & Science University Brain Fair.
Figure 2: The two-point discrimination experiment.
Figure 3: Exhibits to teach children about the brain.

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Acknowledgements

E.C's web site, Neuroscience for Kids, is supported by a grant form the National Institutes of Health Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) programme of the National Center for Research Resources.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and the Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, L-334, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, 97239, Oregon, USA

    William Cameron

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington, BOX 356540, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, 98195-6540, Washington, USA

    Eric Chudler

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  1. William Cameron
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Correspondence to William Cameron.

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FURTHER INFORMATION

Advances in Physiology Education

Brain Awareness Week

Cell Biology Education

Elementary Science Education Partners

European Dana Alliance

Howard Hughes Medical Institute

National Institutes of Health

The Wellcome Trust

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Cameron, W., Chudler, E. A role for neuroscientists in engaging young minds. Nat Rev Neurosci 4, 763–768 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn1200

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