Bridging the Gap: How Backyard Brains Connects Cutting-Edge Science with the Classroom

In this episode of Chalk and Code, Dr. Gregory Gage, Neuroscientist, Inventor, TED Fellow, Keynote Speaker and Co-Founder and CEO at Backyard Brains, joins us to explore how neuroscience can move beyond the lab and into classrooms around the world.From recording real neural activity to building brain-machine interfaces, Dr. Gage shares how Backyard Brains is making complex science accessible, affordable, and exciting for students and educators alike. He also opens up about the company’s unconventional journey — from a $100 spike challenge to global STEM impact — and what it takes to sustain a mission-driven edtech company in today’s shifting landscape.If you’re passionate about bringing authentic STEM discovery to life, connecting curiosity to curriculum, and inspiring students to think like scientists, this conversation delivers both inspiration and practical insight.Key Moments01:30 Discovering the spark that started Backyard Brains07:13 The $100 neuroscience experiment that became a global movement15:15 Making brain science tangible through hands-on learning18:50 From hardware to software — understanding the brain as an analog computer25:20 Why creativity is essential to scientific discovery29:10 Lessons from building a mission-driven education company33:55 The challenge of attention and agency in modern learning38:35 How real neuroscience fits into K-12 and higher education44:10 What’s next for Backyard Brains and the future of hands-on scienceWhy You’ll Love This EpisodeThis episode reveals how authentic science can be taught through experience, not just explanation.You’ll hear how Dr. Gage’s curiosity-driven approach to neuroscience is helping students around the world see and hear their own learning in action.Dr. Gage also shares:How to guide students from structured labs to self-driven discoveryWhy the future of neuroscience is about information, not just anatomyHow creativity and constraint fuel innovation in educationWhat edtech founders can learn from blending purpose with practicalityConnect with Dr. Greg GageLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagegreg/ Website: https://backyardbrains.com/ Connect with UsCompany LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-incCompany Website: https://flexion.us/If this conversation sparked new ideas or challenged your thinking, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.Join us next time on Chalk and Code, where the science of learning meets modern technology.