Neuroscience for Neurodiverse Learners
Providing hands-on experiences in neuroscience disciplines, networking opportunities, and resources to high school and early postsecondary students identified as neurodiverse learners, while also engaging educators in best practices for teaching and promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to such students. Providing hands-on neuroscience activities for students. Working with stakeholders to develop and share best practices for teaching STEM to neurodiverse learners.
Engagement of Educators and Stakeholders
Educators will develop and enhance teaching neurodiverse learners and engage in activities designed to encourage neurodiverse learners to participate in STEM fields.
Online Community of Practice
Educators and other stakeholders explore specific strategies and challenges regarding the promotion and inclusion of neurodiverse learners in neuroscience and related STEM fields.
Capacity Building Institutes (CBIs)
Two CBIs at the UW will focus on increasing neurodiverse learners' success in STEM courses and careers. The multi-day CBIs will include information sessions, panel presentations, and group discussions.
Webinars, Conferences, and Consultation
Through webinars, conferences, and consultations, stakeholders can consult with NNL staff regarding the inclusion of neurodiverse learners in classroom settings, lab activities, field trips, and events.
Engagement of Students
Students will engage in hands-on neuroscience activities, learn about STEM fields, and practice communication skills to prepare them for college and careers.
Neuroscience summer study program
Each year twenty new student participants will engage in a neuroscience day camp at the UW. Student participants from earlier years will take the role of on-site interns and mentors.
Year-round activities at the UW
Students will engage in on-site networking meetings, lab visits, and hands-on learning activities to further their exposure to neuroscience careers throughout the year.
Online engagement, mentoring, and support
Through online engagement, mentors, CNT and DO-IT staff and students, and peers will encourage neurodiverse students (a total of eighty from Summer Study events and an additional 40 from the Seattle area) to pursue neuroscience, and more broadly, STEM careers.
Resources
- Searchable Knowledge Base of questions and answers, case studies, and promising practices
- Guidelines for making STEM programs, educational activities, facilities, and products welcoming and accessible to everyone
- Proceedings of capacity building institutes exploring the full inclusion of neurodiverse learners in STEM courses and careers.
Neuroscience for Neurodiverse Learners Leaders
PI: Sheryl Burgstahler, Director of the Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, Technology (DO- IT)
Center Co-PI: Rajesh Rao, Professor of Computer Science & Engineering and PI/Co-Director of the Center for Neurotechnology
Project Director: Scott Bellman, Program Manager, the DO-IT Center University of Washington
Impact of Our Work
Project outcomes benefit society by making STEM opportunities available to more citizens and enhancing STEM fields with the talents and perspectives of people with disabilities.
For more information, please contact:
Neuroscience for Neurodiverse Learners
uw.edu/doit/programs/nnl
doit@uw.edu
UW Center for Neurotechnology
centerforneurotech.org
thecnt@uw.edu