EBRAINS Tools for Teaching: Enhancing Neuroscience Education

The session, organised by the EBRAINS Education Task Force, highlighted several research tools that have been successfully integrated into educational settings, demonstrating that advanced research technology can also serve as an effective teaching aid.

Welcoming the audience, Johannes Passecker, co-chair of the EBRAINS Education Task Force and part of the EBRAINS Education Coordination office located at the Medical University Innsbruck, set the stage for the session by emphasising the dual role of these tools:

Practical Tools for the Classroom

EBRAINS offers a range of tools that can support the teaching of complex neuroscience concepts. During the session, several tools were presented with a strong emphasis on their educational applications in neuroscience. For example, EBRAINS’ digital atlases offer interactive ways to explore brain structures. These tools support neuroanatomy education by providing multilevel visualizations and enabling quantitative analysis of anatomical data—illustrating how digital atlases can serve as valuable resources for both educators and students. The QUINT Workflow allows users to analyze histological image data by combining all the power of state-of-the-art EBRAINS tools with intuitive interfaces which require no programing skills.

Tools for neuronal network modeling and simulation were also highlighted. NEST Desktop and The Virtual Brain allow students to build and experiment with models of brain connectivity, making it easier to grasp complex concepts through hands-on interaction with simulated neural networks.

In addition, the Cellular Level Simulation Workflow was showcased as an environment for constructing and simulating data-driven brain models, offering insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying brain function. BrainScaleS, a physical neuromorphic computing system that emulates neuron and synapse dynamics, was featured for its tangible approach to learning. Its Lu.i component—a compact electronic implementation of the leaky-integrate-and-fire (LIF) neuron model—provides a direct, interactive experience in exploring neural dynamics and brain-inspired computing.

Opportunities Through Collaboration

The session also underscored the importance of collaboration between tool developers, educators, and learners. There is a strong potential for tool improvement through coordinated feedback loops, where educators and students act not only as users but also as valuable testers. This feedback helps refine the tools and ensures they meet the evolving needs of the classroom.

Participants highlighted the role of early-career researchers in this collaborative process. From a developers‘ perspective Sebastian Spreizer, main developer of NEST Desktop at the University of Trier, noted:

Early-career researchers also play a critical role in bridging the gap between tool development and educational practice. Sandra Diaz, scientific team lead at Forschungszentrum Jülich and chair of the EBRAINS Education Task Force, added:

These insights emphasize that structured feedback and active participation from the academic community are key to enhancing both the development and the application of EBRAINS tools in education.

Amplifying Potential Through Coordinated Efforts

Beyond the immediate classroom applications, participants noted the need for a more coordinated approach to gather insights on educators' needs. By establishing systematic feedback loops and conducting needs assessments, EBRAINS can better tailor its teaching materials to support various subjects in neuroscience and related disciplines. In addition, initiatives such as coordinated publication of teaching materials—with DOI registration and the integration of live papers—can increase the visibility and credibility of these resources. 

Moreover, EBRAINS provides an excellent infrastructure for setting up student courses. With EBRAINS Labs and sponsored guest accounts, educators can offer a seamless learning experience without the hassle of managing complex installations or technical issues. Increasing awareness of this environment among the academic community could further enhance the adoption of EBRAINS tools in educational settings.

Learn More

The learning and teaching materials for selected EBRAINS tools can be explored in our dedicated brochure “EBRAINS Tools for Teaching”.

To explore more about EBRAINS’ education and training offers , please visit our Education & Training Page: https://www.ebrains.eu/page/education-and-training

Read more: https://www.ebrains.eu/news-and-events/ebrains-researchers-create-educational-tool-to-bring-neural-dynamics-to-the-public