From the early days of childhood to the challenges of formal education, the brain undergoes dynamic changes. Scientists and educators at Synapse School and Stanford University are joining forces to study how schooling influences brain development, aiming to gain insights that can revolutionize the learning experience. The Brainwave Learning Center, equipped with an EEG laboratory, plays a pivotal role in this journey, providing a unique tool for students to actively engage with the science of learning.
At the Synapse School in Menlo Park, California, students have the opportunity to visit the Brainwave Learning Center—a hub where neuroscience and education converge. Equipped with stretchy caps featuring over a hundred sensors, students engage in educational games and guided meditation while their brain waves are measured in real-time. This interactive experience not only allows children to witness their brain activity but also fosters a sense of ownership and understanding of their own learning process.
Recent advances in neuroimaging technologies, such as MRI and wearable brain-wave sensors, provide unprecedented insights into the developing brain circuits of reading, math, and attention. Large-scale studies, involving thousands of schoolchildren, offer a comprehensive understanding of neurodiversity and how it correlates with educational achievements, home environments, and extracurricular activities.
EEG technology has enabled researchers to explore how specific learning experiences drive changes in brain function and structure. Studies, including MRI imaging of struggling readers undergoing intensive tutoring, have demonstrated the remarkable plasticity of the brain in response to targeted educational interventions. These findings challenge traditional notions of learning disabilities and emphasize the crucial role of tailored educational support in shaping both the mind and brain. Teachers play a central role in guiding students‘ learning experiences. A study involving artificial symbol learning revealed that teachers‘ instructional choices can influence the brain circuits associated with word recognition. This emphasizes the significance of effective teaching methods in directing learning and impacting the changing landscape of brain circuits.
“Kids come to us ready to learn. The question is do we feed that desire to learn by nurturing curiosity and giving them experiences that encourage them to see the value and the power of learning? That’s what we should be doing. That’s what we should be focused on.” – Pedro Noguera, professor of education at UCLA
Synapse School’s partnership with Stanford University extends beyond traditional academic subjects, delving into social-emotional learning, mindfulness practices, empathy, creativity, self-control, and problem-solving. The continuity between the neuroscience lab and the school environment allows researchers to explore how these factors influence brain circuits involved in human development.
As students progress from kindergarten to middle school, the BLC continues to trace their brain circuits‘ development through repeated EEG measurements. The combination of brain measures with behavioral assessments aims to provide insights into individual strengths and vulnerabilities, guiding the development of targeted instructional approaches.
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