Flanagan-Cato Loretta M, Plate Rista C, Steele Christina, Jenkins Adrianna C
Department of Psychology and Undergraduate Neuroscience Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104.
J Undergrad Neurosci Educ. 2023 May 19;21(2):A159-A165. doi: 10.59390/HXTQ3326. eCollection 2023 Spring.
"Everyday Neuroscience" is an academically based community service (ABCS) course in which college students teach basic neuroscience lab activities to high school students in an under-funded school district, working in small groups on hands-on science activities for 10 weekly sessions. The present study examined the possible psychological and social effects of this experience on the college students, in comparison with peers not enrolled in such a course, by observing and surveying the high school and college students across the 10-week course period. First, the teaching-learning sessions in the course successfully promoted science-focused discussion between the high school and college students for 45 to 60 minutes each week. Second, college students in "Everyday Neuroscience" reported higher positive affect and less intergroup anxiety at the end of the semester compared with the control group of college students who were not in the course. Finally, surveys of the high school students revealed that they found the sessions to be positive social experiences. These findings reveal that a neuroscience-based community engagement course can be both a positive experience for the community partner and a benefit for college students by promoting psychological and social wellness.
“日常神经科学”是一门基于学术的社区服务（ABCS）课程，大学生们在资金不足的学区为高中生教授基础神经科学实验活动，以小组形式开展实践科学活动，为期10周，每周一次。本研究通过在为期10周的课程期间对高中生和大学生进行观察和调查，探讨了这段经历对大学生可能产生的心理和社会影响，并与未参加该课程的同龄人进行了比较。首先，该课程中的教学环节成功地促进了高中生和大学生之间每周45至60分钟的以科学为重点的讨论。其次，与未参加该课程的大学生对照组相比，参加“日常神经科学”课程的大学生在学期末报告了更高的积极情绪和更低的群体间焦虑。最后，对高中生的调查显示，他们认为这些课程是积极的社交体验。这些发现表明，一门基于神经科学的社区参与课程，对社区伙伴来说可能是一次积极的体验，同时通过促进心理和社会健康，也对大学生有益。
