June 2-3 Neuroscience & Education Symposium connects brain research, classroom application

By: Elizabeth Turner

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) and Currey Ingram Academy will present the third annual Neuroscience & Education Symposium Thursday and Friday, June 2-3, on the Currey Ingram Academy campus in Brentwood. The conference will welcome approximately 150 clinicians, teachers, and neuroscience specialists from around the South for two days of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking.

Neuroscience & Education is designed to be a one-stop symposium for educators and other professionals to hear about the latest brain research as it relates to education and to learn the latest evidence-based strategies for implementing this research in the classroom. Topics discussed included ADHD, anxiety and depression, brain plasticity, reading, executive functioning, auditory processing disorder, autism and mindfulness.

The symposium is hosted by the Annette Eskind Institute of Learning at Currey Ingram Academy as well as the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VKC UCEDD), the Vanderbilt Brain Institute, and Peabody College at Vanderbilt.

"We are delighted to continue our partnership with Currey Ingram for the third year to provide this symposium on Neuroscience and Education,” said Elise McMillan, co-director of the VKC UCEDD. “The continued participation of area and regional educators shows the deep interest in this area. We especially appreciate our speakers who are presenting on a wide range of related topics. They’ve always shared excellent in-depth knowledge with our symposium attendees, and this year will be no different."

Serving as keynote speakers for this year’s conference are Steve Petrill, Ph.D., and Jeanne Wanzek, Ph.D. Steve Petrill is a professor of Psychology at The Ohio State University and is leading efforts to examine the genetic and environmental contributions to the development of cognitive skills related to reading, mathematics, language, and attention. These efforts span several projects including the Biology of Language Study, The Western Reserve Reading and Math Projects, as well as newer studies involving neuroimaging and eye-tracking approaches. Dr. Petrill will present a plenary talk titled “Biobehavioral Approaches to Understanding Reading and Math Difficulties” on Thursday, June 2. Jeanne Wanzek is the Currey-Ingram Endowed Chair and associate professor of Special Education at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member. She conducts research examining effective reading instruction and intervention. Her focus is on prevention and remediation for students with reading difficulties and disabilities. Dr. Wanzek will speak Friday morning, June 3, on “Understanding Dyslexia and Learning: What Does Current Research Tell Us?”

Dr. Wanzek will also lead a breakout session titled “Intensive Reading Interventions for Elementary Students Struggling with Reading.” Additional VKC researchers who are leading breakout sessions include:

  • Elisabeth Dykens, Ph.D., Annette Schaffer Eskind Chair and Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center; Co-Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities; Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Pediatrics: “New Insights on Stress Management and Personal Growth for Parents”; and
  • Bethany Rittle-Johnson, PH.D., Associate Professor of Psychology: “Evidence-Based Strategies for Improving Math Instruction”

Registration for the Neuroscience & Education Symposium s is $200 for professionals; $175 each for groups of three or more professionals from the same organization; and $100 for students. This course is offered for 1.05 ASHA CEUs (intermediate level; professional area) if the participant attends the entire two-day symposium. ASHA CEUs and a Certificate of Attendance are provided upon request. Registration is open now through May 12, or until capacity is reached. Click here to register for the symposium.

For more information on the Neuroscience & Education Symposium, e-mail kc@vanderbilt.edu or call (615) 322-8240.

Last Updated: 4/27/2016 10:26:38 AM

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