MindWaves Podcast
Overview:
MindWaves is the official podcast of the National Youth Neuroscience Organization (NYNO), dedicated to making neuroscience and mental health education accessible, engaging, and meaningful for students, families, and communities around the world.
Through conversations with researchers, professors, clinicians, nonprofit leaders, advocates, and individuals with lived experience, MindWaves explores the science of the brain, mental health awareness, emerging research, career pathways, and the stories that shape our understanding of the human mind.
Our Purpose:
MindWaves bridges the gap between scientific discovery and everyday understanding by bringing expert insights and personal perspectives directly to students and communities. Through engaging conversations, the podcast encourages curiosity, promotes mental health awareness, and inspires the next generation of scientists and advocates.
What We Explore
Episodes feature discussions on:
Neuroscience and psychology research
Brain health and mental health awareness
Neurological conditions and discoveries
Careers in neuroscience, medicine, and research
Stories from scientists, advocates, and innovators
Our guests include researchers, professors, healthcare professionals, nonprofit leaders, students, and individuals with unique perspectives on the brain and mental health.
Listen & Get Involved
Listen to Mindwaves by NYNO on Spotify and YouTube, with Apple Podcasts coming soon.
Interested in being a guest or partnering with us? We’d love to hear your story and share your perspective with our growing audience. Everyone is eligible!
Student Publication Program
Would you like to publish your work free of cost?
The NYNO Student Publication Program gives students a platform to explore and share ideas in neuroscience, psychology, and mental health through writing and creative communication. Participants can submit articles, research explainers, opinion pieces, educational essays, interviews, and reflections designed for both scientific and general audiences. The program aims to encourage scientific literacy, critical thinking, and accessible science communication while helping students develop their voices as young advocates and leaders in neuroscience. Selected works may be featured on the NYNO website, digital magazine, blog, or seasonal student publication.
Student Publication Program Guidelines:
- Submission must relate to neuroscience, psychology, mental health, medicine, or related scientific topics.
- Students may submit articles, essays, opinion pieces, research explainers, research reviews, reflections, or any other educational content.
- All work must be original and written by the student(s) submitting it. Plagiarism or AI-generated full submissions are not permitted.
- There is NO LIMIT for the amount of people that can work on one submission. Collaborative or individual submissions are allowed if all contributors are credited.
- Sources and research references should be properly credited when applicable. MLA or APA format is excepted.
- Writing should remain respectful, appropriate, and inclusive toward all individuals and communities.
- Content should aim to educate, inform, inspire discussion, or raise awareness in an accessible way.
- Scientific claims should be accurate and supported by reliable evidence whenever possible.
- Students are encouraged to write for both scientific and general audiences using clear and understandable language.
- Submissions may be edited for grammar, clarity, formatting, or length before publication.
- NYNO reserves the right to decline submissions that contain misinformation, offensive material, inappropriate language, or content unrelated to the program’s mission.
- Selected pieces may be featured on the NYNO website, blog, digital magazine, newsletters, or social media platforms.
- By submitting, students give NYNO permission to publish and promote their work with proper credit given to the author(s).
Please make sure your work follows our guidelines!
Your work will be checked over and edited my us free of charge. You will be informed of any edits made and will be able to dispute them if you do not agree with the edits. You will be informed when your article has been published as well, and where you can find it.
Outreach Program
Make an impact with NYNO!
Overview:
The NYNO Outreach Program is a student-led initiative focused on bringing neuroscience and mental health education into local communities in an engaging, accessible, and interactive way. Through this program, high school students become science communicators by teaching younger students and community members about the brain, behavior, mental health awareness, and foundational neuroscience concepts.
Our Purpose:
The Outreach Program aims to make neuroscience approachable for everyone while empowering students to develop leadership, communication, and teaching skills. By sharing their knowledge with others, participants help inspire curiosity and create greater awareness of brain science and mental health in their communities.
What Students Do:
Participants may organize and lead activities such as:
- School workshops and presentations
- Interactive brain demonstrations
- Mental health awareness events
- Neuroscience activity stations
- Community education programs
Students work together to plan events, create educational materials, and transform complex neuroscience concepts into engaging, age-appropriate learning experiences through activities, visuals, storytelling, and discussions.
Impact:
Through outreach, students gain valuable experience as educators and leaders while helping make neuroscience education more accessible to younger learners and communities. Approved outreach activities may also qualify for volunteer hours based on program guidelines.
NYNO provides resources, templates, and support to help students design and organize meaningful outreach initiatives.
Bring your ideas to life
There will be many opportunities for this outreach program, including starting a school chapter, pitching mental health awareness events, volunteering with us at competitions and mental health awareness events, and recommending any ideas to raise awareness about mental health, psychology, or neuroscience. With these ideas, we will contact you and support you in any way we can to help these ideas come to life, and to help you make a difference in your community. Sign up below to start a chapter, pitch ideas, or join this organizations and volunteer with us. You can sign up for more than one of these opportunities as well.
Mentorship Program
Free mentorship program
Overview:
The NYNO Mentorship Program connects high school students with college students, medical students, graduate researchers, and professionals who share their interests in neuroscience, medicine, psychology, and research.
Through personalized guidance and meaningful conversations, students will gain insight into academic pathways, research experiences, and careers related to neuroscience.
Our Purpose:
Navigating opportunities in neuroscience can be challenging for students without access to mentors who understand the field. This program aims to provide students with guidance, encouragement, and support as they explore their interests.
What Mentors Provide:
Mentors may help students with:
- Exploring neuroscience careers
- Understanding academic pathways
- Finding research opportunities
- Developing scientific skills
- Learning about college and professional experiences
- Discussing interests and goals
- Impact
By connecting students with experienced individuals, the mentorship program aims to make neuroscience pathways more accessible and help students confidently pursue their interests.
Coming soon!
This program is currently being set up. To get notified when it starts, sign up for our emails!
Speaker Series & Webinars
Connect with others
Overview:
The NYNO Speaker Series and Webinars bring students together with professionals in neuroscience, psychology, medicine, and research through virtual talks, discussions, and Q&A sessions.
These events provide students with opportunities to learn directly from experts and explore the real-world applications of neuroscience.
Our Purpose:
Exposure to professionals can help students better understand scientific careers and discover areas of neuroscience they may want to pursue. NYNO aims to connect students with experts and provide insight beyond traditional classroom learning.
What Events Include:
Sessions may feature:
- Research presentations
- Career discussions
- Student Q&A sessions
- Conversations about scientific journeys
- Discussions of emerging discoveries
Impact:
The Speaker Series helps students gain inspiration, knowledge, and perspective from professionals shaping the future of neuroscience.
Coming soon!
This program is being set up. To be informed when it is available, sign up for our emails!
National Youth Neuroscience Challenge (NYNC)
Overview:
The National Youth Neuroscience Challenge (NYNC) is a student-focused neuroscience competition designed to encourage exploration, critical thinking, and problem-solving in brain science.
Through a challenging and engaging competition format, NYNC gives students the opportunity to test their neuroscience knowledge while connecting with a community of peers who share their passion for the brain.
Our Purpose:
Many students are interested in neuroscience but lack opportunities to apply their knowledge outside the classroom. NYNC provides a platform for students to challenge themselves, expand their understanding, and engage with neuroscience in a meaningful way.
What Participants Explore
Students may explore topics including:
- Neuroanatomy
- Cellular and molecular neuroscience
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Psychology and behavior
- Neurological disorders
- Brain research methods
Impact:
NYNC encourages scientific curiosity, academic growth, and collaboration among students interested in understanding the brain and advancing neuroscience.
This program will be coming soon! Join our community or sign up for our email list to know when it's here!
Mental Health Advocacy
Overview:
NYNO’s Mental Health Advocacy initiatives combine neuroscience education with awareness efforts to promote a deeper understanding of mental health and brain health.
Through educational campaigns, partnerships, and resources, NYNO works to encourage informed conversations about mental well-being.
Our Purpose:
Understanding the science behind the brain can help students better understand mental health. NYNO aims to provide evidence-based information while encouraging curiosity, compassion, and awareness.
What We Do:
Initiatives may include:
- Mental health education campaigns
- Neuroscience-based resources
- Awareness events
- Collaborations with mental health organizations
- Educational content about the brain and behavior
Impact:
NYNO strives to empower students with knowledge about the brain while supporting a culture of awareness, understanding, and scientific curiosity.