Neuroscience Education Program for Educational Activities

(BRAINYAC Trial)

Not currently recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Paula L Croxson, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Columbia University

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial provides high school students with hands-on experience in neuroscience research labs over the summer. It aims to boost students' confidence and identity in science, helping them feel more capable in tasks like writing and presentations. The program, called the Neuroscience Education Program or BRAINYAC (Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia), focuses on students from Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx who are interested in science careers. It tracks their growth in scientific skills and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. All students and mentors in the program can join the trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers students a unique opportunity to gain valuable research experience and explore potential science careers.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this education program is safe for students?

In a previous study, researchers created the BRAINYAC program to help high school students learn about the brain by working in a research lab. This program provides an educational experience, not a medical treatment, so it does not involve safety concerns like those associated with drugs or medical devices. The focus is on teaching students lab skills and boosting their confidence in science. Reports indicate no physical risks or side effects, as the program centers on learning and gaining experience in a safe and supportive environment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Neuroscience Education Program because it offers a fresh approach to learning about neuroscience by focusing on educational activities rather than traditional lecture-based methods. Unlike standard educational practices that often rely heavily on rote memorization and passive learning, this program emphasizes active participation and engagement, which can enhance understanding and retention of complex neuroscience concepts. By introducing innovative teaching techniques and interactive experiences, the program aims to make neuroscience more accessible and stimulating for students, potentially transforming how the subject is taught and learned.

What evidence suggests that this education program is effective for improving students' scientific self-efficacy and science identity?

No edits are needed because this trial does not include separate treatment arms to clarify. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Daphna Shohamy, PhD

Principal Investigator

Columbia University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The BRAINYAC program is designed for high school students from Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx who are interested in neuroscience research. It's an educational initiative aimed at equipping them with lab skills over 8 months, culminating in a summer lab experience. All students and mentors involved in the program are eligible to enroll without any exclusion criteria.

Inclusion Criteria

All students and mentors in the program will be invited to enroll

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Education Program

High school students participate in a neuroscience research laboratory program to develop STEM skills and identity

8 months

Regular sessions (in-person and virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in scientific self-efficacy and identity, and their academic and career decisions are tracked

4 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Education program

Trial Overview

This study tests whether an education program can boost students' confidence and identity as scientists through hands-on laboratory work and training. The effectiveness of the BRAINYAC program will be measured by tracking improvements in scientific efficacy and science identity over four years using surveys, focus groups, and interviews.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Students Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Education program

Education program is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as BRAINYAC for:

• Educational Research Experience
• Neuroscience Education

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Columbia University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,529

Recruited

2,832,000+

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Collaborator

Trials

1,403

Recruited

655,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Glioma Outcomes (GO) Project aims to improve patient care for those undergoing glioma surgery by conducting outcomes research and developing educational programs, guided by a board of experts since 1997.

This voluntary database allows physicians to assess the effectiveness of their clinical decisions and practices in a confidential and objective manner, ultimately enhancing treatment strategies for glioma patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Glioma Outcomes Project: a resource for measuring and improving glioma outcomes. Anderson, FA.[2013]

The Bridge to Neuroscience Workshop (BNW) has successfully educated 624 students (200 high school and 424 undergraduate) in Puerto Rico about neuroscience, significantly improving their understanding and enthusiasm for the field.

The workshop has been effective in identifying promising students for further neuroscience education, but current evaluations only measure short-term comprehension, prompting a need for methods to assess long-term impacts on academic and career choices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bridge to neuroscience workshop: An effective educational tool to introduce principles of neuroscience to Hispanics students. Colón-Rodríguez, A., Tiernan, CT., Rodriguez-Tapia, ES., et al.[2021]

In a double-blind study involving 66 brain-injured children aged 8 to 12, piracetam did not lead to any lasting improvements in learning ability, concentration, or behavior over a 13-week period.

Interestingly, children receiving placebos showed a nonsignificant tendency toward improved physical well-being, suggesting that the effects of piracetam may have been negative rather than beneficial.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Trial of piracetam in children with cerebral organic mental deficiency]. Rösler, HD., Kleinpeter, U., Gehrke, R., et al.[2013]

A scoping review of 29 studies on neurosurgery residency education revealed that various educational interventions, including didactics and nontechnical skills training, are supported by quantitative evidence, highlighting their effectiveness in improving resident performance.

Despite the positive findings, many studies exhibited methodological shortcomings, particularly in choosing meaningful outcome measures, indicating a need for improved research practices in evaluating educational interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Data-Driven Residency Training: A Scoping Review of Educational Interventions for Neurosurgery Residency Programs. Kelly, PD., Yengo-Kahn, AM., Roth, SG., et al.[2022]

The UCNeuro intervention, which included hands-on neuroscience workshops for 77 sixth-grade students, significantly improved students' knowledge of neuroscience and their confidence in academic goals.

While the workshops increased students' confidence and college aspirations, they did not change excitement about learning science, suggesting that while knowledge can be enhanced, engagement may require different strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Interactive Student-Centered Neuroscience Workshops for Sixth Graders Enhance Science Knowledge and Education Attitudes. Toledo, MA., Koochak, N., Gupta, A., et al.[2020]

Piracetam has a strong safety profile with no significant organ toxicity, even at high doses (up to 24 g/day), as confirmed by 25 years of clinical use and recent studies, including a randomized trial with 927 patients.

In a study of patients with acute ischemic stroke, piracetam did not significantly increase adverse events or mortality compared to placebo, suggesting it can be safely administered without major risks, even in high doses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The clinical safety of high-dose piracetam--its use in the treatment of acute stroke. De Reuck, J., Van Vleymen, B.[2013]

A survey of 44 juvenile animal studies for drug applications revealed that 78% of these studies provided safety information relevant to drug use in children, particularly regarding neurobehavioral effects.

The majority of studies indicated persistent neurobehavioral effects, with 54% showing evidence of developmental neurotoxicity, highlighting the importance of assessing cognitive impacts in juvenile animal models for CNS-active compounds.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

CDER Experience With Juvenile Animal Studies for CNS Drugs. Fisher, JE., Ravindran, A., Elayan, I.[2020]

The Making Connections, Making Choices program effectively enhances middle-school students' science knowledge and interest in health science careers, reaching over 1,000 students and 80 teachers annually across 30-35 schools.

Evaluations indicate that students participating in the program score higher on neuroscience knowledge tests and show greater interest in science careers compared to those not exposed to the program, highlighting its positive impact on education.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

University of Washington and partners' program to teach middle school students about neuroscience and science careers. Cunningham, SL., Kunselman, MM.[2019]

The Ninth Triennial International Symposium on neurotoxicology suggests shifting focus from merely identifying neurotoxic problems to also emphasizing prevention strategies, which could enhance participant outcomes and institutional support for research.

The cTRAIN software program exemplifies a successful prevention tool developed by neurotoxicologists, demonstrating that effective training can be adapted for diverse populations, thereby integrating prevention into neurotoxicology studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hänninen lecture: problems and prevention: research in developing countries and immigrant populations from developing countries. Anger, WK.[2018]

The BRAINS Program enhances career development in neuroscience by focusing on community building and fostering critical conversations, which are essential for advancing diversity in the field.

This program emphasizes that career preparation should include more than just scientific skills, highlighting the importance of a supportive environment for trainees.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The BRAINS Program: Transforming Career Development to Advance Diversity and Equity in Neuroscience. Yen, JW., Horner-Devine, MC., Margherio, C., et al.[2017]

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has merged study sections for toxicology and alcohol, now reviewing neurotoxicology grant applications under the ALTX-3 section, which primarily focuses on alcohol's effects rather than other neurotoxicants.

New review criteria require applicants to clearly address significance, approach, innovation, investigator expertise, and research environment, which may impact the competitiveness of neurotoxicology research proposals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Understanding the NIH review process: a brief guide to writing grant proposals in neurotoxicology. Audesirk, G., Burbacher, T., Guilarte, TR., et al.[2000]

A survey of 119 medical students revealed that both those with home neurosurgery residency programs (HP) and those without (NHP) found the virtual neurosurgery training camps (VNTC) beneficial, although their perceived usefulness varied.

NHP students showed a greater increase in interest in peripheral nerve neurosurgery compared to HP students, indicating that virtual training may help engage students from diverse backgrounds in specialized fields.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual Neurosurgery Education for Medical Students without Home Residency Programs: A Survey of 2020 Virtual Neurosurgery Training Camp Attendees. Kortz, MW., Shlobin, NA., Radwanski, RE., et al.[2022]

The 'Brain Science on the Move' program successfully enhanced neuroscience education for middle school teachers and students, particularly in underserved schools, leading to increased teacher knowledge and confidence in teaching neuroscience.

Teachers reported spending more time on inquiry-based learning rather than traditional lectures, which resulted in heightened student interest in science and the brain, fostering a community of local neuroscience experts among educators.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neuroscience in middle schools: a professional development and resource program that models inquiry-based strategies and engages teachers in classroom implementation. MacNabb, C., Schmitt, L., Michlin, M., et al.[2018]

Citations

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reporter.nih.gov

reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11058915

Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia ...

We aim to increase students' scientific knowledge, confidence, and preparation for college and careers in STEM through directed training, mentoring, and ...

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trialx.com

trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/265666/brain-research-apprenticeships-in-new-york-at-columbia/

Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia

Our hypothesis is that students' self-reports of scientific effectiveness and science identity will improve over the course of the 8-month long ...

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clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04728022?term=AREA%5BSponsorSearch%5D(NINDS)%20AND%20AREA%5BOverallStatus%5D(RECRUITING%20OR%20ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING)&rank=3

Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia

Over a 4-year period we will track students' self-reports of (1) scientific efficacy, including their level of confidence in scientific writing, oral ...

4.

zuckermaninstitute.columbia.edu

zuckermaninstitute.columbia.edu/brainyac

BRAINYAC - Columbia | Zuckerman Institute

BRAINYAC provides high-schoolers with an immersive, hands-on summer research experience in a Columbia laboratory.

5.

reporter.nih.gov

reporter.nih.gov/search/MnF2Kn5C502cTcTC54IUdA/project-details/9920542

Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia ...

This project proposal seeks to build and strengthen an existing program for high school students to perform mentored research during the summer, ...