Education Initiatives
The Dana Alliance is committed to educating young people about neuroscience as a means of raising awareness and sparking a greater interest in neuroscience at an earlier age, to inspire the next generation of neuroscientists, but more importantly, to provide a solid base of knowledge of the brain and brain research for today's students.
The Alliance's neuroscience education initiatives include developing pilot programs and/or partnering with other organizations in existing programs by providing tools for teachers and students to learn about the brain and brain research. This effort includes, but is not limited to implementation of teacher and/or student workshops; providing teaching tools such as the Dana Sourcebook of Brain Science and other curricula supplements; distribution of Dana Foundation and Alliance publications; and access to scientific experts.
Although the primary focus of the Alliance's neuroeducation effort is aimed at the middle school, high school, and post-secondary level for both teachers and students, young students in grades K-8 as well as people in upper age demographics are reached through Brain Awareness Week activities and other Alliance programs and projects.
Dana Brain Science Educator Series
Through a grant from the Dana Foundation, the Alliance supports the Dana Brain Science Educator Series in collaboration with the New York Hall of Science (NYHS). Now in its third year, this annual program includes five sessions focused on the development of neuroscience-based curricula for up to 20 science teachers (called Dana Fellows) in New York City middle or high schools. Sessions include an interactive seminar with a notable expert in neuroscience, curricula development work sessions with NYHS facilitators, a field trip to a neuroscience laboratory, a panel discussion on careers in neuroscience, and final presentation of work plans based on the series' teaching. Teachers will implement their work plans in their classrooms and act as mentors to the next wave of this series.
Association of Science-Technology Centers
In the Dana Alliance collaboration with the Association of Science – Technology Centers (ASTC), expert speakers and other assistance is provided in creating programs at museum sites on neuroscience topics. Program topics vary, ranging from teen depression, drug abuse and alcoholism to brain fitness in the workplace and the aging brain. ASTC is an organization of 550 science-technology centers, including nature centers, aquariums, planetariums, zoos, botanical gardens, space theaters, and natural history and children’s museums.
Presentations may be directed to a specific audience or toward the general public interested in learning about the brain and brain research. The Exploring Your Brain series, directed toward the baby boomer population, is available to ASTC locations. These discussions include aspects of the aging brain, including information about specific diseases and disorders, nutrition, cognitive fitness, etc. Dana Alliance hand-outs are also made available at the event.
More about the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Wired to Win
Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France, a Giant Screen IMAX film that premiered in December 2005 is the centerpiece of an ambitious, multi-component project designed to generate new enthusiasm for science and stimulate a popular understanding of brain biology. Dana Alliance member Dennis J. Selkoe, M.D., served as one of the film’s science advisors, and the Alliance has supported promotional and outreach efforts for the film.
More about Wired to Win
The Secret Life of the Brain
The Dana Alliance was a sponsor of The Secret Life Of The Brain, a five-part public television series that premiered nationally on PBS in winter 2002. The critically acclaimed David Grubin Production reveals the fascinating processes involved in brain development across a lifetime. The series informs viewers of exciting new information in the brain sciences, introduces the foremost researchers in the field, including several Dana Alliance members, and utilizes dynamic visual imagery and compelling human stories to help a general audience understand otherwise difficult scientific concepts. The Alliance played an instrumental role in promoting the series through grassroots outreach.
More about The Secret Life of the Brain