APS's Local Outreach Team in New Jersey reports on middle and high school “Neural Networks” teacher workshops

Abstract

With curriculum by The American Physiological Society (APS), the Local Outreach Team (LOT) in New Jersey conducted multiple workshops for science high school and middle school teachers. These workshops, entitled "Neural Networks" contained content in line with the National Science Standards and covered neurophysiology topics such as reflexes and responses. Workshops engaged the teachers (who were instructors of chemistry, biology, physics, health, or physical education) in role‐play as students, in active, inquiry‐based learning with hands‐on lab activities and associated concept mapping exercises. The Neural Networks, Active Learning Module for Middle & High School Science Classes workshop was chosen by the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Public Education department as an exhibitor workshop at the 56th Annual National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conference on Science Education (2008, Boston MA). Two workshops (What is a neural network? and Neural Networks in the Body) were conducted at the 32nd Annual NJ Science Convention (2008, Somerset NJ). LOT continues to be a ready reference for the teachers as they bring the materials learned back to their own classrooms, as seen in results of evaluations and feedback surveys given to the workshop attendees. Workshop funding was provided by APS and SfN.