What we do
About our project
Within HERSENSPIN, three teaching modules have been developed in co-creation with young people and tested at a secondary school. Individual components of these modules have also been used in other public science communication activities, such as Brain Awareness Week and Science Weekend.
Anxiety Module
Includes a reaction time task to experience the influence of neutral vs. angry faces, stepwise exposure exercises for fear, and a Virtual Reality experience focused on fear of heights.
Coping Module
Features a bingo game centered on different coping strategies, a game exploring the impact of support versus criticism, and heart rate monitoring during a breathing exercise and stress test.
Eating Behavior Module
Contains a self-test on eating behavior, an experiment examining the impact of visual and olfactory food cues on appetite, and a quiz on external influences on food intake.
For each module, a worksheet, a supporting plenary presentation, and an in-depth Dutch Frontiers for Young Minds article have been developed. Although the project has officially concluded, new modules continue to be added to the platform. Background information is available at www.projecthersenspin.nl. HERSENSPIN now serves as a springboard for broader science communication efforts, helping to disseminate scientific knowledge in schools.
Funds & Grants
Healthy Start-ers Fund
Our team
- Pauline Jansen - Full Professor Ontwikkelingspsychologie.
- Hanan El Marroun - Full Professor Biologische Psychologie.
- Ryan Muetzel - Assistant Professor.
- Greetje Kranenburg - Docent PO/VO.
- Ruth van der Hallen - Associate Professor Klinische Psychologie.
- Anita Harrewijn - Assistant Professor Klinische Psychologie.
