Neuroscience Practical Applications to Reach K-12 Students (NeuroSPARKS)

项目总结/摘要 NeuroScience Practical Applications to Reach K-12 Students（NeuroSPARKS） 利用生理传感中的无线技术，为手部创建一个负担得起的迷人系统， 在K-12学生中进行神经科学教育。 NeuroSPARKS系统具有创新的臂章 嵌入肌电图（EMG）传感器，为未经培训的教师和学生提供一种手段， 将肌电信号传感技术带入课堂。据推测，NeuroSPARKS系统将增加 科学学习和兴趣作为学生完成动手，基于探究的神经科学挑战， 这是由该技术的医疗康复应用所推动的。对于每一个教学课程， 神经科学的概念，学生将使用肌电图系统与软件接口，控制一个虚拟的手臂， 各种挑战。 课程模块将专门开发，以便方便地集成到 通过匹配多学科学习标准和发展全面的教师培训， 材料.提高兴趣和巩固科学背景知识是重要的教育 目标是增加从事科学和技术职业的学生人数。NeuroSPARKS项目 旨在开发一个高效和可访问的系统，向学生介绍从事科学 挑战，增加学习，并促进对科学的兴趣。 在拟议的第一阶段工作中，巴伦协会与埃里克·佩里奥特博士合作， 县公立学校系统，将开发，应用和评估原型无线肌电图的有效性 硬件、软件界面、教学课程材料和学习评估。第一阶段试点 对大约180名中学生进行的研究将被用来客观地衡量 增加科学知识和兴趣，结果从使用NeuroSPARKS系统，结果 这将被统计评估，以评估第一阶段计划的成功。这些努力将提供一个 为随后的第二阶段研究奠定了坚实的基础，该研究将该系统扩展到更多的学校和年级。

Project Summary/Abstract The proposed NeuroScience Practical Applications to Reach K-12 Students (NeuroSPARKS) project leverages wireless technology in physiological sensing to create an affordable and engaging system for hands- on neuroscience education in K-12 students. The NeuroSPARKS system features an innovative armband embedded with electromyography (EMG) sensors, providing a means for untrained teachers and students to bring EMG sensing technology into classrooms. It is hypothesized that the NeuroSPARKS system will increase science learning and interest as students complete hand-on, inquiry-based neuroscience challenges that are motivated by medical rehabilitation applications of the technology. For each instructional lesson that presents neuroscience concepts, students will use EMG system to interface with software, controlling a virtual arm in a variety of challenges. The lesson modules will be developed specifically to offer convenient integration into classrooms by matching multidisciplinary learning standards and developing comprehensive teacher training materials. Increasing interest and solidifying background knowledge in the sciences are important educational goals to improve the numbers of students pursuing scientific and technical careers. The NeuroSPARKS project aims to develop a highly-effective and accessible system that introduces students to engaging science challenges, increases learning, and promotes interest in science. In the proposed Phase I effort, Barron Associates, in partnership with Dr. Eric Perreault, and the Albemarle County Public School system, will develop, apply, and assess the effectiveness of the prototype wireless EMG hardware, the software interface, and instructional lesson materials and learning assessments. A Phase I pilot study conducted with approximately 180 middle-school students will be used to objectively measure the increase in science knowledge and interest that results from using the NeuroSPARKS system, the results of which will be statistically assessed to evaluate the success of the Phase I program. These efforts will provide a solid basis for subsequent Phase II studies that expand the system into additional schools and grade levels.