Abstracts

ABSTRACTS

Robin Wilkins

A Pre-College Training Program in Network Science Techniques and The Effects of Music on the Brain: A NetSci Ed Case Study Pilot Robin W. Wilkins¹, Mikayla Slomski² and Michelle Lovett²

¹Laboratory for Network Neuroimaging of Complex Systems, Gateway MRI Center, Joint School for Nanoscience and Nanoengineering Gateway Research Park University of North Carolina Greensboro^{; 2}Southwest High School, Guilford County Public Schools, High Point, North Carolina

This NetSci Ed pilot project encompasses crosscutting training from three fields: network science, neuroimaging and music. As a pre-college experience, this effort captures a student’s natural scientific curiosity, via their interest in the effects of music on the brain, to learn challenging new knowledge and technically demanding skills. The goals of the Network Neuroscience project are to encourage and inform students in the techniques of network science through hands-on experiences with neuroimaging data. Participants in the project have a background and interest in both music and science. Students finish the program having acquired an understanding of the basics of network science, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the application of network science techniques to large neuroimaging data sets, and the effects of music on the brain. As a senior research project, a scientific paper and presentation by the student concludes the program. The potential from this type of interest-driven, high school level experience may translate to a variety of future 21^st century data-driven career possibilities. Future directions, including the potential arising from this interdisciplinary field, are discussed.

Figure 1. Image of the brain created by the student working on a 3T Siemens MRI scanner. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) is depicted.