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

项目摘要/摘要 拟议的面向K-12学生的神经科学实际应用(NeuroSPARKS)项目 利用生理传感中的无线技术为手创建一个经济实惠且引人入胜的系统- 关于K-12年级学生的神经科学教育。NeuroSPARKS系统以创新的臂章为特色 嵌入肌电(EMG)传感器，为未经培训的教师和学生提供了一种手段 将肌电传感技术带入课堂。据推测，神经中枢系统将增加 随着学生完成基于探究的动手神经科学挑战，科学学习和兴趣 以医疗康复技术的应用为动力。对于呈现的每节指导性课程 神经科学概念，学生将使用肌电系统与软件接口，控制一个虚拟手臂在一个 各种各样的挑战。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综合教师培训来实现课堂教学 材料。提高对科学的兴趣和巩固科学背景知识具有重要的教育意义 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，向学生介绍参与科学 挑战，增加学习，促进对科学的兴趣。 在拟议的第一阶段工作中，Barron Associates与Eric Perreault博士和Albemarle 县公立学校系统，将开发、应用和评估无线肌电原型的有效性 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用来客观地衡量 使用NeuroSPARKS系统带来的科学知识和兴趣的增加，结果是 将对其进行统计评估，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，这些研究将把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.