Engaging students in citizen science to promote brain health and data science skills
Brain Healthy: Engaging Students in Citizen Science Brain Health and Wellness Investigations to Promote Data Science Literacy
This study invites high school students to explore how their health and lifestyle choices affect brain health by taking surveys, measuring heart rates, and doing fun brain tasks, all while learning valuable data skills alongside their teachers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chestnut Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166124 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research program, Brain Healthy, aims to engage high school students in citizen science projects focused on brain health and wellness. Students will participate in a month-long unit where they will conduct surveys about their health and lifestyle, measure their heart rates, and complete cognitive tasks. The program is designed to enhance data science literacy by allowing students to analyze research-generated data and understand the impact of various life experiences on brain health. It is implemented in collaboration with teachers from public schools serving underrepresented communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are high school students in 9th and 10th grades, particularly those from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Not a fit: Students outside of the 9th and 10th grades or those not interested in science or health-related topics may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower students with valuable data science skills while promoting awareness of brain health.
How similar studies have performed: Previous programs like BrainWaves have shown success in engaging students in science education and citizen science initiatives.
Where this research is happening
Chestnut Hill, United States
- Boston College — Chestnut Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davidesco, Ido — Boston College
- Study coordinator: Davidesco, Ido
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.