Neuroscience Teacher Training Workshops for Elementary School Teachers

Abstract

A teacher training workshop was designed to instruct elementary school teachers regarding basic neuroscience content and provide guidelines for planning anatomical life science units for the classroom. This introduction of neuroanatomical sciences allows teachers to receive appropriate training in neuroanatomy, comply with the National Science Education standards, and create classroom activities that will encourage children to investigate topics regarding neuroscience.Two half day weekend workshops were implemented which included a neuroscience lecture. Following the lecture, teachers participated in a hands‐on laboratory session filled with activities and experiments that can be replicated in the elementary school classroom.To measure the impact and effectiveness of the workshop, participants were administered a pre and post test regarding key ideas presented in the workshop. Participants also filled out a survey rating the workshop's overall effectiveness, and course content. There was a statistically significant improvement from pretest to posttest (p< 0.0001).These workshops provided necessary teacher instruction in the anatomical sciences which promotes student interest in neuroscience.Supported by AAA Education Outreach Grant