Emerging Impacts of Involving Young Learners in Mind, Brain and Education Research

As the field of Mind, Brain and Education (MBE) continues to grow and carve out its own niche, MBE researchers have begun expanding the scope of their investigations and approaches. One such development is the establishment of collaborative partnership with young learners, both to inform research practices and to develop student-scientists. We explore the process of involving young learners in MBE research through a research assistant program for middle schoolers, initiated through a unique research-practice partnership that embeds MBE researchers and an electrophysiology laboratory into a school. In this program, student-researchers learn about research, assist with university protocols, and drive independent research projects. Here, we share information about this program and report on its impact from the teacher and student-researcher perspectives. Overall, we found that daily involvement in scientific research aids the holistic development of student-researchers by fostering academic and nonacademic skills that may transcend formal learning environments.