Creating a Neuroscience Guidebook Entitled Beginner’s Guide to Brain Science

The human mind has been one of my biggest curiosities since childhood. I have always been fascinated by its abstract nature and enjoyed engaging in conversations regarding such matters. Growing up, I started developing my understanding of human consciousness, mind, and behavior through the lens of different studies such as sociology, philosophy, and psychology. Though upon more research, my curiosity had led me to neuroscience. Understanding the neural basis of human behavior would offer me another equally fascinating explanation for human behavior. How a plentiful of neurons in the brain cooperate to make the human mind, in particular, was a fascinating topic to me as I appreciated both its psychological and scientific aspects. But with the complexity of the human brain, a deepened understanding of the brain is yet to be achieved.

Neuroscience is a relatively new interdisciplinary field concerned with the study of the human nervous system. In this time and day, research and progress are still outgoing worldwide. And in the past few years, scientists have made significant progress with their work. However, according to the Neurological Alliance 2019 statistics, about 1 in 6 people are diagnosed with a neurological disorder. The need for treatment and affordable access to it is very prevalent today, considering the statistics. Today, neuroscience is yet to be taught in classrooms, and only a subject one would regard in their college or university years. Thus, to solve this problem, neuroscientists have been trying to gather a broader audience in younger age groups from students in the 5th grade and above. As someone intrigued by the brain since young, I have decided to take this opportunity to help educate and inspire potential neuroscience enthusiasts through an introductory guidebook. Hence, my goal for this project is to research the fundamentals of neuroscience, then write and design a digital guide book intended for students of my age to learn from.

Global Context

The global context I have chosen for my project is “Scientific and technical innovation.” As Santiago Ramón Y Cajal, the father of modern neuroscience says, “As long as our brain is a mystery, the universe, the reflection of the structure of the brain will also be a mystery.” In my project, I write about the evolution and fundamentals of neuroscience and how they are of importance to us. Not only has neuroscience led to a deeper understanding of human behavior and the individual, but it has sought an understanding of neurological disorders and conditions. Scientists have come up with fascinating ways to study neuroscience, whether it would be through computers or animal experiments. Considering the complexity of the brain, it will be one of sciences' greatest triumphs to finally understand how the brain works.

Product

Beginner’s Guide to Brain Science is a 54 paged digital neuroscience guidebook modeled after the traditional textbook. Designed for a target audience and in honor of my chosen global context, I address the basics/fundamentals of neuroscience from the nervous system, brain anatomy, how neurons interact, research in the field, and the history and future of neuroscience for the beginner.

The book includes the necessary visuals, content, quotes, and descriptions for a beginner to the subject. Additionally, specific outlines were thoughtfully chosen to give the beginner an exciting journey into neuroscience, such as the outlines “Major Questions,” “How much do we know about the brain?” “Neuroethics,” and the “History and Future of Neuroscience.” The more technical outlines include “Intro to the Nervous System” and “Fundamentals of Neuroscience.”

See my book below!

Reflection

Although all phases in the making of this project activated all the learner profiles/skills, some of the most prominent profiles were risk-taker, inquirer, knowledgeable, communicator, open-minded, and thinker .

In honor of my chosen global context, "Scientific and Technical Innovation," I engaged in discussions and learned about neuroscience. Conducting research within neuroscience and developing the book itself had me actively practicing my thinking skills. Although it was challenging and rigorous, actively reflecting on how my book could effectively convey its message, whether through text or illustration, made me a better thinker and communicator. Some concepts were complex, but I took the challenge of breaking them down to digest. And throughout it, I practiced open-mindedness because I had to keep an open mind to new information and perspectives at all times.

As a critical inquirer, this project enlightened me on how to ask the right questions and the nature of scientific inquiries and discoveries - all of which activated valuable skills in approaching a problem. Because neuroscience was one of my curiosities, this personal project had deemed me an inquirer.

Since this project, my knowledge in neuroscience has definitely expanded, and I am immensely grateful for it. I had taken the risk of learning a new topic and persevered until the very end. As a result, I got to communicate month's worth of research in my guidebook, Beginner’s Guide to Brain Science. These skills - open-mindedness, thinker, knowledgeable, inquirer, communicator, and more - are vital in undertaking my global context.

IB Learner Reflection

Exploring the nature of scientific progress, the complexities of the human brain, and more had endowed me with a greater understanding of my chosen global context, “Scientific and Technical Innovation.” I had also managed to refine and learn many skills throughout the process, such as self-management and thinking skills. In short, it was a long process of analysis and reflecting on the needs of my target audience, consuming and evaluating information and resources, and configuring my way through any issue. But in the end, my efforts had accumulated to formulate a product I can be proud of. Engaging in scientific discussions with others, researching, and learning more about my global context had broadened my understanding of science. Additionally, through research, I was familiarized with the skills needed to be a scientist and the responsibility one carries.

I have grown to be a better communicator, thinker, reflective, open-minded, and knowledgeable learner. After taking the risk of discussing a topic I was remotely new to, I managed to develop as a risk-taker. Having taken the opportunity and challenge, I am now well-endowed with the ropes of brain science. Ever since this project, I obtained new knowledge such as brain anatomy and the history of neuroscience on top of my prior learning of the action potential. Now, I understand how the nervous system operates as a system at much greater depths. And after months of conducting research, practicing thinking, creative, and self-management skills, I got to communicate my knowledge of neuroscience through my book.

Moreover, I believe that this opportunity has given me the reward of personal growth. Every problem and struggle I had encountered was only an opportunity to remain resilient as an IB learner and what being one stands for. Besides a new profound love for neuroscience, I can carry all the skills I have learned as I navigate through life. The brain is a fascinating organ in itself, and I am immensely grateful to have been allowed to explore my passions at this level.