This conversation explores the significance of brain synchrony in education, emphasizing the importance of diverse teaching methods, social connections among students, and the role of teachers in facilitating engagement. The discussion highlights research findings that link student engagement to academic success and offers practical strategies for teachers to enhance learning environments.

Follow on Twitter: @SuzanneDikker @mrs_frommert @YoukiTerada @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork

Suzanne Dikker’s work merges neuroscience, digital art, and education to bring human brain and behavior research out of the lab, into real-world, everyday contexts. As a Research Associate Professor affiliated with New York University and the University of Amsterdam and founding member of the art/science Harmonic Dissonance Collective, Suzanne leads various projects, including MindHive, a community science platform that supports student-teacher-scientist and community-scientist partnerships. Her projects are funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the European Research Council, among others.

Youki Terada is the Research Editor at Edutopia, a division of the George Lucas Educational Foundation. He leads the research beat, covering a broad range of topics from the science of learning to effective classroom management and assessment strategies. Prior to Edutopia, Youki was an educational technology, STEM, and informal science learning researcher at UC Berkeley and the Lawrence Hall of Science.

Crystal Frommert, M.Ed, brings over two decades of diverse educational experience, spanning from elementary to post-secondary levels. She currently holds the positions of middle school math teacher and deputy head of secondary at Awty International School in Houston. Crystal is also a published author of the 2023 book When Calling Parents Isn’t Your Calling: A Teacher’s Guide to Communicating With Parents.