BRAIN-STEM: Building Rural Aspirations In Neuroscience
with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Boosting Interest in Health Science and STEM
This project aims to increase rural students’ interest in healthcare careers to help address the shortage of healthcare professionals in underserved communities. We’ve developed an educational program for 9th-12th graders that includes a free 5-day neuroscience Summer Camp covering brain science, addiction, and career pathways through interaction with university students, faculty, and healthcare professionals. Our afterschool program provides hands-on experience through monthly campus workshops, field trips, and collaborative activities where students tackle real health-related problems as healthcare professionals.
Afterschool and Summer Camp Programs
In our afterschool program, students form Care Teams to explore the neuroscience of drug addiction and treatment through immersive, challenge-based learning, while also participating in academic enhancement activities and field trips to interact with healthcare professionals at Clarkson and other facilities. Our 5-day summer camp provides hands-on lab activities where students investigate how drug use and addiction affect the brain, working in small groups to connect basic addiction science with treatment approaches through direct engagement with healthcare professionals.
Immersive Teacher Institute
This toolkit provides teachers with a roadmap to develop students’ inquiry-based learning and metacognition skills while fostering curiosity, belonging, and self-agency as they explore scientific ideas. The strategies are designed for implementation at different learning stages—from introducing new topics to advancing students from novice to proficient levels. Topics include framing complex issues, design thinking, various mapping techniques, metacognition, growth mindset, and effective questioning strategies.
Exploring Rural Healthcare
Explore the diverse and impactful world of rural healthcare careers. Learn from experienced professionals including EMTs, nurses, therapists, and physician assistants, as they detail their educational pathways, daily responsibilities, and the rewarding experiences of serving in rural communities. This resource offers valuable insights into the training, skills, and dedication required for these vital roles, highlighting the unique challenges and profound opportunities for personal and professional growth in providing care where it’s needed most.
Online Accessible Educational Curricula
Providing resources and lesson plans for teachers anywhere, our curriculum is aligned with next generation science standards and modularized for flexibility. Empowering teachers and students worldwide with drop-in educational content and interactive science lessons. Accessible, multimedia materials engage students with different learning styles and exceed state and national standards.
