Neurokids: inspiring the next generation of neuroscientists
Neurokids is an outreach programme co-founded by Dr. Rina Cianfaglione (Faculty of Medicine) and Dr. Dennis Golm (Psychology), designed to engage primary and secondary school students in neuroscience, mental health, and psychology. Launched in 2020 with support from the Public Engagement with Research Unit (PERu), Neurokids has grown into a dynamic initiative that fosters curiosity, scientific literacy, and enthusiasm for brain science among young learners.
Programme structure and activities
Neurokids operates through interactive workshops, video resources, and hands-on activities, tailored to different age groups – from reception classes learning about feelings and emotions, to Year 10 students engaging with topics like brain lesions and neuroplasticity.
Curriculum-aligned workshops
Schools are invited to submit students’ questions in advance on topics such as the brain, mental health, and neurodivergence. Sessions are then tailored to complement the science curriculum, with some schools – like St Patricks' Primary School in Southampton – embedding to Neurokids programme into their regular teaching.
Hands-on learning & competitions
Workshops often include video resources, brain model demonstrations and experiments, , for example mirror-drawing and the EGG-speriment. A highlight is the poster competition, where students work in groups to create scientific posters based on accessible neuroscience and psychology articles from Frontiers for Young Minds.
Student-led workshops & skill development
Neurokids also supports university students by training them to co-deliver or independently run sessions. “It’s a great soft skill—learning how to explain complex topics to children in a way that’s easy to understand,” says Dennis.
Inclusivity & representation
Beyond the classroom, Neurokids champions inclusivity. A collaboration with Women in Neuroscience is underway to encourage more girls to consider careers in the field. Another recent project involved co-creating educational videos with autistic young people to support workshops on neurodivergence and foster greater understanding and acceptance.
Impact and recognition
For Rina, the biggest reward is witnessing students’ excitement: “The feedback from primary school kids is amazing—some write notes saying, ‘I love Neurokids!’ or tell us, ‘I want to be a neuroscientist!’ Working with schools in underserved areas is especially rewarding, as some children may not otherwise have these opportunities to learn about the brain and medicine.”
“The kids ask the best questions—like, ‘Why do zombies eat brains?’” adds Dennis. “My answer was ‘Because they’re delicious!’”
With nearly 60 workshops delivered so far, Neurokids has made a significant impact through events such as SOTSEF and local school science fairs. The initiative has been praised in an OFSTED report (St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School) and was recognised with the 2025 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise.
By blending academic insight with creativity and community engagement, Neurokids is helping shape a more informed, inspired, and diverse generation of future scientists.