# NeuroLab:  Adapting an authentic ISE experience for high school course integration and positive STEM outcomes

> **NIH NIH R25** · COASTAL MARINE BIOLABS · 2021 · $263,262

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Authentic residential research experiences form a cornerstone of NeuroLab, an informal science education
(ISE) project that bridges developmental neuroscience and comparative genomics, and provides novel
opportunities for high school students to identify new molecular genetic tools to study nervous system
connectivity. These advanced ISE experiences unfold during residential summer institutes hosted at our
biosciences laboratory with small cohorts of predominantly female students. The proposed effort is intended
to scale the positive educational impacts of the NeuroLab pilot project by connecting significantly larger
numbers of high school students, particularly those from traditionally underserved groups, to successful
elements of this advanced learning experience. To this end, the project places high school teachers at the
center of three highly collaborative work aims involving an exceptionally diverse group of science
professionals. In the earliest phase of the project, teachers will work with neuroscientists, curriculum experts,
and NGSS specialists on curriculum revisions that conform to evidence-based best practices. Curriculum
strategies and products that emerge from this phase will be used to support in-depth professional
development (PD) instruction. PD is aimed at promoting subject mastery, technical proficiency, and
transformative changes in teaching practices that translate into positive learning outcomes during enactment
of an authentic, course-based research experience for high school students.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10208907
- **Project number:** 5R25GM132984-03
- **Recipient organization:** COASTAL MARINE BIOLABS
- **Principal Investigator:** Ralph Imondi
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $263,262
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10208907

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10208907, NeuroLab:  Adapting an authentic ISE experience for high school course integration and positive STEM outcomes (5R25GM132984-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10208907. Licensed CC0.

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