The Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience offers a variety of experiential learning courses, which are not required for the major but allow students to gain real experience working with children of all ages and the aging community. See below for descriptions and students reflections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This experiential learning opportunity provides a hands-on experience, working side-by-side with elderly individuals at the Roland Park Place. Students will have a chance to interact with residents that have both short-term and long-term cognitive and physical impairments. The residents typically live on the premises but may also be participating in a daytime care only program. Students will interact with the residents in various enriching ways in order to develop a better understanding of how our mind and body ages with time. Students will gain hands-on experience working with residents with dementia, Alzheimer\u2019s and other cognitive impairments that effect the body and the brain. Students MUST attend a mandatory orientation and a mandatory exit session (see Section Web Notes for dates\/times). Students are required to provide a written description of their experiences and to discuss their experiences at the exit session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time Commitment: a minimum of five (1-2 hours) visits during the semester. Students must provide updated medical immunization records to include – flu shot, COVID-19 and PPD (tuberculosis). Background check required. Transportation will be provided by the JHMI shuttle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 credit \u2013 S\/U Grading Only. Register for AS.080.404 in SIS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This was my second semester volunteering at Roland Park Place and it was very meaningful to participate once again, whether it was engaging with the residents in trivia activities, leading reading sessions, or merely being there to support and interact with the residents. I reflect how meaningful it was to be present there, even if I wasn\u2019t leading an activity, because the residents were so appreciative of any company we were giving them. I loved volunteering, striking up My experience in RPP was really important to me because it allowed me to interact with people that experience the disease that I study in my research. Through my visits every week, I was able to develop \u201crelations\u201d with many of the residents. Even though they would forget about me the next week that I came in, it still felt like there was a connection that was The goal of Making Neuroscience Fun (MNF)<\/a>, a community outreach program, is to educate Baltimore city and county elementary school students, on how to achieve good mental health by focusing on the role the brain plays in our Social, Physical, Emotional and Cognitive (SPEC) health. The MNF-Brain Health: It\u2019s SPECtacular program focuses on using scientific research as the foundation for developing information about brain (mental) health and relaying the information in an age-appropriate manner. In order to participate, JHU students must be available for a 3 hours block of time at least one day per week, Monday-Friday. Students MUST attend a mandatory orientation and a mandatory exit session held on the Homewood campus (TBD). Transportation to the schools will be via the Hopkins Shuttle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 credit \u2013 S\/U Grading Only. Register for AS.080.402 in SIS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Through this opportunity, I was able to educate these students about topics they may not have otherwise learned, which can be important in keeping them engaged in STEM as well as helping them learn about their own health. From a personal The Making Neuroscience Fun Experiential Learning class was definitely a great experience. I think I learned a lot about kids, teachers, and what it\u2019s like to teach. Before this class, I didn\u2019t have much experience with kids, so I only had a limited idea about what they would be like in first grade. I definitely underestimated how much energy they have! However, like others commented in the exit session, I was also surprised by how much they understood about the topics we presented. Kids definitely don\u2019t get enough credit for how smart they are and how much they can understand about even complex topics like neuroscience and mental health and I really enjoyed seeing that firsthand.<\/p>\nSofia, Class of 2024<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n In this experiential learning opportunity, students will work with children who have a variety of neurological disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome through exercise and recreational activities. We partner with the KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now), a nonprofit organization. Student \u201ccoaches\u201d will receive a profile for the KEEN athlete that they will pair up with during a session. Students will receive initial training and then select 4 sessions to attend. Sessions are held on the first and third Sunday of each month during the semester at KEEN centers in Maryland. Students MUST attend a mandatory orientation and a mandatory exit session held on the Homewood campus (see section web notes for days\/times). Students are required to present a written description of their experiences and to discuss their experiences at the exit session. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Transportation will be via student carpools using Zipcars, personal vehicles or Hop Vans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 credit \u2013 S\/U Grading Only. Register for AS.080.401 in SIS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
conversations with residents, and seeing residents who I\u2019d seen over months continue their participation in activities. I\u2019ve gained practical skills and knowledge on how to interact and engage elderly communities in a residential care setting, and this is so important to me because one of my life goals is to pursue geriatric medicine. I really want to work with elderly
communities and those who have memory impairment, so volunteering at Roland Park Place has been a great opportunity to interact with residents, each of whom have their own engaging story and who I have been so grateful to learn from and meet with.<\/p>\nGabriel, Class of 2024<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n
established. Specifically, I visited Ms. Roswell many times over the course of the semester. At the beginning she was able to recognize me, but after a few weeks, she started to forget who I was. But even still, I came in every week to talk to her.<\/p>\nHerbert, Class of 2023<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nMaking Neuroscience Fun<\/h2>
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standpoint, I was also able to improve my communication and presentation skills. I learned how share educational material in a way that is specifically catered to a younger audience. Overall, since I am interested in the medical field and specifically pediatrics, this opportunity was impactful in that it allowed me to work with a younger population and teach them about
neuroscience and brain health.<\/p>\nShriya, Class of 2024<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)<\/h2>