Brainwaves is an NIH-funded and NGSS-aligned program, which brings innovative brain technology to the high school STEM classroom. This new curriculum engages students in authentic research using low-cost, portable electroencephalography (EEG) devices. Our project included three main components: curriculum development, professional development, and assessment of student, teacher, and mentor outcomes. Our NGSS-aligned curriculum was implemented by participating teachers in an elective course. Teachers and students received the support of neuroscience doctoral students from New York University who served as mentors. Mentors and teachers participated in regularly scheduled professional development.
Over the past four years, the program has been implemented in 25 public New York City (NYC) schools, reaching over 600 students, mostly from underrepresented groups in STEM. Evaluation data indicates that the program led to significant increases in students’ research self-efficacy and college readiness.
The BrainWaves Project was featured in the publications below:
- STEM For All Video Hall
This 2022 video publication serves as an overview of the project and its outcomes - EdLeadership Journal
This 2020 article highlights student outcomes including changing student perspectives of science and promoting reflective learning. - SciEd Conference Poster
This 2018 poster summarizes the original BrainWaves vision including the role of students, teachers, and mentors and research instruments used to measure study outcomes.
Our Team would like the thank the following teachers and schools for their enthusiastic participation:
- Karena Ostrem | Vanguard High School
- Mimi Pearle | Landmark High School
- Bonnie Lestz | John Adams High School
- Melinda Garrick | Pelham Lab High School
- Darrell Morris| Medgar Evers College Preparatory School
- Emily Blatt | University Neighborhood High School
- Ashley Almonte | The Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria
- Jessica Holzer | Forsyth Satellite Academy
- Chaya Baras | West Brooklyn Community High School
- Jessica Kim | Chelsea CTE High School
- Mercedes Polanco | Fordham Leadership Academy
- Olivia Ramirez | Marble Hill School for International Studies
- Joshua Wickline and Sam Struckhood | Talent Unlimited High School
- Wendy Victor | Kurt Hahn Expeditionary Learning School
- Rocheli Apilan | High School for Health Professions and Human Services
- Ophelia Morris | Excelsior Preparatory High School
- Andrew Ferreira | Thomas Edison CTE High School
- Alexa Tanglis | Pan American International High School
- John Rahl | Inwood Early College for Health and Information Technology
- Karen Ann Gatta | Richmond Hill High School
- Suzette Nelson | Clara Barton High School
- Andrew Wallace | World View High School
- Megan Fries-Kmiotek | Bronx Collegiate Academy
- Jarius Toogood | South Bronx Preparatory
- Jordan Wolf | Flushing International High School
- Don Overly | Central Park East HS