Engaging Young Minds: The Neuroscience of Fitness Workshop at Mack Ave Elementary
On February 27th, 2025, 28 fourth and fifth-grade students from John Mack Ave Elementary joined the USC Young Scientists Program (YSP) for an engaging after-school workshop titled “Neuroscience of Fitness Studio.” This hands-on event explored the intricate relationship between movement and the brain, delving into how each influences the other. The workshop was based on the research of Daniel Aslan, a PhD student in Integrative and Evolutionary Biology at USC, whose National Science Foundation (NSF) grant focuses on understanding how locomotor transitions in human evolution have impacted cognitive demands during movement.
Overview of the Workshop
The workshop began with a brief presentation on how the brain controls movement and the benefits of physical activity for brain health. Students then rotated through three interactive stations:
Station #1: Muscle Model
Participants learned about the role of the brain in controlling muscles during movement by making their own arm muscle model. At this station, students engaged in a hands-on activity, building a “Muscle Machine” to understand how biceps and triceps work together to move the arm. Using materials like cardboard, bobbins, string, and a plastic bottle, they constructed a model demonstrating muscle contractions, resulting in flexion and extension.
Station #2: Dynamic Walkers
This station was inspired by the “Gravity-Powered Robot Walker” project. Students explored the principles of balance and movement by constructing their own simple, gravity-powered walkers using cardstock, skewers, beads, and craft foam. This activity demonstrated how even without a motor, strategic design and weight distribution can create locomotion, highlighting the brain’s role in managing these factors during human walking.
Photo 2: Researcher Daniel Aslan shows inertial measurement unit sensors to students, which track human movement.
Photo 3: Lily Lawsin wears a high-tech wearable metabolic system that measures how much energy she is using while moving.
Photos by Dieuwertje Kast
Station #3: Movement Science Station
Students engaged in dual-task (walking while thinking) exercise experiments that challenge both the brain and body, while also getting a glimpse into the equipment used to study human movement. This station examined how cognitive tasks can affect walking patterns and vice versa. Students walked over an uneven surface/ terrain (in this case, a large plywood square with rock climbing holds and other wooden pieces) with walking sticks while trying to do simple subtraction questions.
Insights from the Workshop
Teacher Perspective:
It felt great to see my kids outside of the normal classroom setting and do more hands-on work one-on-one! My favorite part was when one of my students connected the walker station to our first lesson about kinetic energy— It was such a rewarding moment to see them apply their learning in a practical way! When I went in to teach the next day, all of my kids raved about the movement science station. They loved the uneven surface and how it challenged their balance, and many mentioned how the cane made the activity feel like an adventure. It was amazing to hear how much they enjoyed the experience! – Naomi Kassahun, 4th Grade STEM TA at Mack for the USC JEP STEM Education Programs.
Student Experience:
“My favorite thing was the movement station. It was interesting that it can track when you move,” said Kaylee Segura. This sentiment reflects the excitement and curiosity that many students felt as they explored how movement is monitored and analyzed.
Researcher’s Perspective:
“Our research explores how walking on two legs and our endurance have shaped the way we think over time”, explained Daniel Aslan. “Workshops like this help us share that knowledge with the next generation, inspiring them to explore the fascinating world of neuroscience and movement”.
“It was really wholesome to see that the kids were generally into science, they told me they learned a lot from the presentation about the brain and movement were able to connect it to the their muscle model activity” said Anika Seshadri, third year undergraduate in Human Biology and research assistant in the Evolutionary Biology of Physical Activity Lab
Impact and Future Directions
The USC Young Scientists Program continues to inspire young minds through hands-on science education. By partnering with researchers like Daniel Aslan, the program not only enhances students’ understanding of STEM subjects but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of human movement and cognition.
Acknowledgements
This workshop was made possible through the support of Daniel Aslan’s National Science Foundation Biological Anthropology Program – Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (BA-DDRIG, Award NSF-BCS 2419169) , which explores the cognitive demands of locomotion in human evolution. We also would like to thank our JEP staff and student leaders, who played a crucial role in organizing and facilitating this event. The researchers that supported Daniel Aslan’s event were: Dylan Luong, Tiladia Markarian, Anika Seshadri, Lily Lawsin, andSarah Hourihan.
Additionally, we appreciate the contributions of all the students, teachers, and volunteers who participated in and helped organize this workshop. Special thanks to the John Mack Ave Elementary staff for their hospitality and support throughout the event.