These second grade students aren’t just learning neuroscience at an early age—they’re learning neuroscience in two languages.
College students and faculty from Mount Holyoke hosted a neuroscience workshop at Kelly last week to show students how the brain works as a way to spark their interest in learning more about science. Activities included learning how neurons work, examining images of the brain, and learning about the scientific method—with information presented and shared in both English and Spanish. Brave students even took the opportunity to touch and hold a rat brain.
The workshop opened up a lot of new avenues for learning, with students especially enjoying learning in Spanish. Here are some key student takeaways:
“Quiero ser científica para hacer pociones y experimentos que me ayuden a descubrir el futuro.” (“I want to be a scientist so I can make potions and carry out experiments that will help me discover the future.”)
“¡No sabía que mi cerebro podía cambiar!” (“I didn’t know my brain could change!”)
“El cerebro aprende cuando se equivoca.” (“The brain learns when it makes mistakes.”)
“¡Me encanta poder tocar un cerebro de verdad!” (“I love being able to touch a real brain!”)
“Mi cerebro ahora es más listo.” (“My brain is smarter now.”)
While this program has visited Kelly School before, this is the first time it was presented in Spanish for second grade dual language students. Students in the dual language program are a mix of native Spanish speakers, native English speakers, and students who natively speak a different language. As a part of the program, they learn all subjects in Spanish and English, with the majority of their day featuring Spanish instruction.