WHY THE GREY MATTERS

A NEUROSCIENCE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

FOR TEACHERS

 STAR Education has partnered with the Braitmeyer Foundation and a team of Neuroscience experts to bring you this comprehensive Professional Development Program developed and designed especially for elementary teachers.

This program will take place on three separate Saturdays at STAR Education's Resource Station in Culver City. This cutting edge series will be presented trhough a dynamic hands-on, discussion based format which focuses on bringing you the latest research in Neuroscience and Psychology along with strategies for direct application in the classroom.

CEU Credits are available, for each Saturday of attendance, through USC's Rossier School of Education. (Details Below).

Where:
STAR Resource Station
10117 Jefferson Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90233

When:
December 8th, January 26th, February 23rd
8:00 a.m. Check-In and Continental Breakfast
Session: 9:00-4:00

Contact: STAR Resource Station
Phone: 310-842-8040 ext. 113
Email: gate@starinc.org
Web: greymatters.starinc.org

(Register for one or all three events)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

SATURDAY SERIES Part 1: December 8th, 2012

Plasticity, Mindset and Memory
Over thirty years of research in the neurosciences tells us one thing about the human brain: It is able to adapt and change in remarkable ways. Learning about this remarkable feature of the human brain has direct applications to the classroom for both students and teachers. This session will be an overview of brain function at the cellular and structural level giving teachers the background needed to understand the principles of neuroplasticity, emotional regulation and learning and memory. Additionally curriculum will be provided for educators to teach these bacis principles to their students, something research suggests makes students more motivated learners.

Topics: 
Plasticity and Mindset
Memory and Study Skills
Stress and Emotional Regulation

SATURDAY SERIES Part 2: January 26, 2013

Understanding Executive Function
Many educators learn the term executive function during their training; rarely, however is the term clearly described. Nor does it help educators to understand how to develop the cognitive processes of the brain that are essential for critical thinking and mastery of complex material. This session will not only cleary elucidate the functions of the prefontal cortex (planning, reasoning, decision-making) in othe context f education but will also help teachers to understand the underlying neuroscience and psychology of attention, motivation, creativity and self control.

Topics:
Self-Regulation
Focus and Perseverance
Motivation
Creativity

SATURDAY SERIES Part 3: February 23, 2013

Designing a Brain-Friendly Environment
Now that educators have learned the basics of brain function this session's goal is to take educators through the research that will help them design the ideal classroom environment for their student's brains to flourish. To do this the neuroscience of happiness, sleep, nutrition, and exercise will be presented with direct applications to the classroom Brain-friendly classroom design and principles of classroom management will also be included.

Topics:
Social and Emotional Learning
Happiness
Neuroscience of Sleep, Safety, Exercise, Stress