Johns Hopkins University
Grant Information
This grant supports Johns Hopkins University’s Brainy BUGSS, an experiential short course designed to immerse Baltimore high school students in the emerging field of neuroAI. This project equips students with foundational knowledge in neuroscience, coding, and computation tools while fostering critical reflection on the ethical and societal implications of neuroAI technologies.
Johns Hopkins develops a suite of interactive educational modules used in a four-session course that introduces high school students to the science, applications, and ethical implications of neuroAI. Drawing from data workflows developed by Johns Hopkins neuroscientists and in partnership with the Baltimore Underground Science Space (BUGSS), the modules provide students with hands-on experience in analyzing real neuroAI data and applying scientific reasoning. Each module guides students in considering ethical and societal questions such as whether neuroAI systems could be considered conscious, how they might be used in medicine, and what risks and benefits these technologies may pose.
Johns Hopkins convenes an online train-the-trainer workshop to introduce the modules to instructors from other community biolabs who are part of the global DIY Bio community. The workshop trains instructors to adapt the curriculum locally and use the modules to spark student engagement. Participants leave with access to the full suite of resources, evaluation tools, and examples of student work, enabling the curriculum’s sustainability and scalability beyond Baltimore.
This grant supports the Dana Education objective to engage K-12 students in learning about neuroscience and its relevance to society through structured education opportunities (formal and non-formal) that integrate relevant, real-world topics and issues to capture their interest and inspire continued study.
This grant supports the Dana Foundation objective to facilitate greater understanding and informed decision-making among professionals by supporting new education approaches on neuroscience topics related to their practice.