Ramadan Bassil, Ricoy Ulises M
Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721.
Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Undergraduate Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721.
J Undergrad Neurosci Educ. 2023 May 19;21(2):A126-A132. doi: 10.59390/HMMK4371. eCollection 2023 Spring.
The NEURON initiative (Neuroscience Education in Undergraduate Research, Outreach, and Networking) is a free program engaging first year students, including underrepresented minority (URM) students in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (NSCS) at the University of Arizona (UA). The NEURON program builds on former Grass Foundation-sponsored workshops run by Dr. Ricoy (2010-2019) implementing hands-on and culturally responsive active learning curriculum with low-cost equipment from Backyard Brains to increase student retention of URM students in the sciences at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI). We present the implementation of the NEURON program at the onset of the COVID pandemic. Combining best practices of distance learning and peer mentoring, we conducted three-week projects exploring principles of neuroscience and neurophysiology. Enrollment and demographic data from NSCS at the UA demonstrate historical disenfranchisement and program attrition primarily impacting URM students. As an extension on previous URM peer mentorship programs in Neuroscience (Ricoy, presentation at Northern New Mexico College Research Symposium, 2010, 2011; presentation at Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americas in Science, 2012), we leveraged low-cost equipment and remote sessions to advance the community of undergraduate mentors and pair with high school mentees on hands-on curriculum. Throughout the program, undergraduate mentors received guidance while crafting and delivering four laboratory lessons to mentees. By coordinating with a Title I school, we better connected with historically underserved students. Critical to this program was providing hands-on opportunities to students who were undergoing distance-based learning during the pandemic. Distribution of equipment allowed high school students to experiment remotely, guided by undergraduate mentors. The NEURON program met its objectives of fostering both mentors and mentees as burgeoning scientists.
NEURON计划（本科研究、外展和网络中的神经科学教育）是一项免费计划，面向亚利桑那大学（UA）一年级学生，包括神经科学和认知科学（NSCS）中代表性不足的少数族裔（URM）学生。NEURON计划建立在里科伊博士（2010 - 2019年）之前由格拉斯基金会赞助的研讨会基础上，使用Backyard Brains的低成本设备实施实践操作且具有文化响应性的主动学习课程，以提高西班牙裔服务机构（HSI）中URM学生在科学领域的留存率。我们介绍了在新冠疫情初期NEURON计划的实施情况。结合远程学习和同伴指导的最佳实践，我们开展了为期三周的项目，探索神经科学和神经生理学原理。亚利桑那大学NSCS的招生和人口统计数据表明，历史上存在的剥夺权利和项目流失问题主要影响URM学生。作为之前神经科学领域URM同伴指导计划的延伸（里科伊，在新墨西哥州北部学院研究研讨会上的演讲，2010年、2011年；在促进奇卡诺人/西班牙裔和美国原住民科学协会上的演讲，2012年），我们利用低成本设备和远程课程来推动本科导师群体的发展，并与高中 mentees 就实践课程进行配对。在整个计划中，本科导师在为mentees精心准备和讲授四门实验课程时接受指导。通过与一所第一类学校协调，我们更好地与历史上服务不足的学生建立了联系。该计划的关键在于为疫情期间接受远程学习的学生提供实践机会。设备的分发使高中生能够在本科导师的指导下进行远程实验。NEURON计划实现了培养导师和mentees成为新兴科学家的目标。
