Making Connections
Across Chicago, Project Synapse is making connections with schools and organizations, exposing K-12 students to the wonders of medicine, neuroscience and neurosurgery.
Francis W. Parker High School
In November 2022, Dr. Aruna Ganju visited Ms. Bridget Lesinski’s Mind and Body class at Francis Parker High School. During her talk, Dr. Ganju discussed her journey to becoming a neurosurgeon, showing radiographic images and surgical videos.
Before the talk, students were asked to read The Butterfly and the Bell Jar by French journalist Jean-Dominique Bauby. In this memoir, Bauby describes his experience with locked-in syndrome, after a massive stroke left him unable to do anything other than blink. Dr. Ganju discussed consciousness and locked-in syndrome with students, focusing on how Bauby’s memoir demonstrates the complex and intricate nature of the brain.
To learn more about this event and see additional photos, click here.
Chicago Public Schools Network 9
In December 2022 and May 2023, Project Synapse hosted an event at Bronzeville Classical School in collaboration with CPS Network 9. Students from all over Network 9 came to discover and explore the nervous system.
The event began with an introductory neuroscience talk by Dr. Aruna Ganju. At the end of her presentation, one of Dr. Ganju’s patients, Mr. Neels de Coning, discussed suffering from a spinal cord injury and his journey re-learning how to walk.
Afterwards, students rotated through four stations, each providing an opportunity for hands-on learning about the nervous system.
To learn more about this event and see additional photos, click here.
Illinois Science and Math Academy
In March 2023, Project Synapse hosted an event at the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA). IMSA students from the Minorities for Medicine club and International Youth Neuroscience Association learned about neuroscience and neurosurgery.
The event began with a presentation about neuroscience by Dr. Ganju, with students hearing from Neels de Coning about his experience suffering from a spinal cord injury. Afterwards, students were guided through breathing exercises and learned how to test reflexes. At the end, students hear from Dr. Aaron Palmer about the obstacles he overcame on his journey to becoming a neurosurgeon.
To learn more about this event and read student testimonials, click here.
Lane Tech College Prep
In April 2023, Project Synapse hosted an event at Lane Tech College Prep. 7th and 8th graders from the school participated in a 3 hour event, where they learned about neuroscience and neurosurgery.
The event began with an introductory neuroscience presentation given by Dr. Ganju. Following this presentation, students rotated through 8 hands-on stations. During these stations, students learned more about the nervous system, interacting with models and learning how to test reflexes. Additionally, students heard from neurosurgical patients about their experience and recovery.
To learn more about this event and see additional photos, click here.
SciHigh
In the summer of 2023, Project Synapse collaborated with SciHigh, a high school science and medicine program held at Northwestern Medicine.
Throughout the summer, 11 SciHigh students attended three Project Synapse lectures: introduction to neuroscience + brain, spinal column and cord, and the neurological exam. Students learned about neuroscience, basic anatomy of the nervous system, and how doctors check for a deficit in the nervous system.
To learn more about this event and see additional photos, click here.