Off-Site Visit to Tour CANDLE(Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education) at USC

Session Type: Off-Site Visit

Abstract

AERA Special Interest Groups on Brain, Neurosciences & Education (BNE, 14), Montessori Education (ME, 181), and Classroom Management (CM, 19), along with the USC Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education (CANDLE) invite you to a special “CANDLE Conversations” event. Join a guided visit to USC CANDLE and an intimate conversation session hosted by Professor Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, BNE member and Founding Director of CANDLE, and the USC CANDLE team. Attendees will be introduced to a center actively conducting empirical neuroscience research in collaboration with teachers, learners, and families to explore how emotions, relationships, and brain development shape learning in real classrooms. This session extends joined programming of the AERA BNE, ME, and CM SIGs into Year 3, and is designed to bring research and practice into dialogue around issues of (1) the brain, neuroscience, and education research, (2) classroom management practices, and (3) developmental, affective-conscious learning techniques such as those practiced in Montessori methods of learning. During this hosted visit, attendees will see how the CANDLE team integrates neuroscience insights into learning, teaching, and educational design practices. In Year 3 of our joint AERA SIG programming, members of the BNE, ME, and CM SIGs will have priority registration until February 27, 2026. Thereafter, remaining seats on the charter bus will be open—on a first-come, first-served basis—to AERA conference attendees.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Brain, Neurosciences and Education

Cosponsors

• SIG-Classroom Management

• SIG-Montessori Education

Visit Leaders

• Kay Brocato, Mississippi State University

• Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, University of Southern California

Session Organizer

• Kay Brocato, Mississippi State University