Positive STEM Experiences for Underrepresented and Rural 6-12th Graders: A Novel Approach to Pre-Collegiate Neuroscience using a Train-the-Trainer Model, Summer Immersion, and Sustained Mentorship

神经科学研究有可能影响健康，学习和心理健康的接受， 护理，以及为全球人口治疗神经系统疾病。的应用和影响 神经科学的创新依赖于多角度、多角度的思考和文化意识。 具体来说，招募，保留和培训神经科学领域的各种高技能人才， 这是最大限度地发挥我们的研究和教育的影响力的必要条件。然而，这一努力受到以下因素的影响： 实地存在的种族和族裔不平衡现象。尽管国家做出了许多努力，代表性不足的少数民族 (URM)在参与神经科学研究方面遇到障碍。在这项工作中，我们将针对 中学年龄的青年，因为这些年是一个关键的时间，青年的身份，自我概念， 成就导向形成过程，这将在塑造他们的经验中发挥重要作用 在社区、学校、工作和生活中。该提案的主要目标是提供有意义的、增强的 经验和URM 6 - 8年级学生的支持网络，因为他们探索潜在的机会 在神经科学中。我们将通过将成功但不同的单一组织实践整合到一个 全国统一的纵向模式。我们的提案结合并扩展了我们团队的过去 成功地（1）创建和提供一个新的神经科学课程，通过在全州范围内提供 明尼苏达州的"培训师培训"模式，将创造新一代的神经科学教育工作者，（2） 为感兴趣的年轻人创建和执行沉浸式神经科学夏令营，帮助他们开始 采取措施实现愿望，包括依靠支持，克服障碍， 重新想象他们的可能性，以及（3）制定为期一年的指导计划，旨在 通过代表性不足的导师连接和形成长期的神经科学领域的多样化 与代表性不足的学生的联系。我们将首次整合三种参与形式 整合到一个单一的、有凝聚力的生态系统中，让参与者更好地了解潜在的协同效应， 为学生提供多种参与模式的好处。我们认为，这些一致和加强 为代表性不足的少数群体、弱势群体和/或残疾人的下一代提供经验， 农村领导人在神经科学领域的教育和研究成功的变革机会。

Neuroscience research has the potential to impact wellness, learning, and mental health acceptance and care, as well as the treatment of neurological disorders for global populations. The application and impact of neuroscience innovation depends on multiple perspectives, diversity of thought, and cultural awareness. Specifically, recruiting, retaining, and training a diverse pool of highly skilled individuals in neuroscience is imperative for maximizing the impact of our research and education. However, the effort is compromised by existing race and ethnicity imbalances in the field. Despite many national efforts, underrepresented minorities (URM) experience barriers to participation in neuroscience research. In this proposed work, we will target middle school aged youth, as these years are a critical time in youth’s identity, self-concept, and accomplishment orientation formation processes, which will play a significant role in shaping their experience in community, school, work, and life. The primary goal of this proposal is to provide meaningful, reinforcing experiences and a supportive network for URM 6th-8th grade students as they explore potential opportunities in neuroscience. We will do this by integrating successful yet disparate single-organization practices into a unified and longitudinal statewide model. Our proposal incorporates and expands upon our team’s past success in (1) creating and delivering a novel neuroscience curriculum to be delivered statewide through Minnesota in a “Train-the-Trainer” model that will create a new generation of neuroscience educators, (2) creating and executing an immersive neuroscience summer camp for interested youth to help them begin to take steps toward aspiration achievement that include relying on supports, navigating barriers, and reimagining what is possible for them, and (3) developing a year-long mentorship program aimed at diversifying the field of neuroscience through underrepresented mentors connecting and forming long-term bonds with underrepresented students. For the first time, we will integrate three forms of engagement experiences into a single, cohesive ecosystem for participants to better understand potential synergistic benefits of multiple modes of engagement for students. We believe that these consistent and reinforcing experiences provide the next generation of underrepresented minorities, disadvantaged and/or disabled, and rural leaders a transformative opportunity for educational and research success in neuroscience fields.