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Brain Buddies Inspire Curiosity and Mentorship
Lily Hyde ’24 developed a passion for neuroscience and psychology as a student. She often pondered why students aren’t taught to care for their brains since the brain plays such a crucial role during the early developmental stages. This thought inspired her to create Brain Buddies, an organization that instills passion and curiosity for the brain among young minds within the FWCD community while bridging the gap between Lower and Upper School through learning, mentorship, bonding and fun.
“What if Upper School students introduced the brain to Lower Schoolers in an educational, simple and fun way so they can better understand its incredible significance in our lives,” she asked. “When this idea came to me, I remember a sensation of enthusiasm and excitement washing over me.”
As a sophomore, Hyde began developing Brain Buddies, focusing on fourth graders because their more developed minds could better grasp the complex subject of neuroscience. She started by sharing her idea with then Fourth Grade Teacher Joan Massey. Next, she approached Upper School Community Service Coordinator Christy Lennox and Assistant Head of Upper School Paula Weatherholt to coordinate a schedule to allow Upper School students to join the organization and work with the fourth graders per the schedule Massey thought would work.
Hyde spent August and September 2021 planning the details and introduced the organization to the Upper School in early October. From that point on, Upper School students and fourth graders met twice a month for about 45 minutes to explore the brain in fun and engaging ways.
In that first year, 35 Upper School students participated. At the start of the 2023-24 academic year, the group grew to over 150, showcasing the club’s popularity.
“When I first came up with the idea for Brain Buddies, I never thought it would come to life so quickly and gain such overwhelming support,” Hyde shared. “It speaks so much to the incredible community we have here at FWCD: a community that encourages students to pursue their passions and goes the extra mile to help us bring our dreams to fruition.”
Hyde’s enthusiasm for Brain Buddies inspired her senior year Capstone Project. In the semester-long Capstone class, she developed a plan for the organization to continue to thrive. Comprising research, a final project and a presentation, the Capstone allowed Hyde the time, structure and resources to delve into her passion project and share her work with the School community.
“For Lily’s Capstone Project, she worked to create a comprehensive Brain Buddies curriculum that other schools would be able to implement,” said Sarah Blan, Capstone Coordinator. The curriculum will also allow Hyde’s successor to grow the Brain Buddies program at FWCD. “I look forward to seeing how the Brain Buddies program grows and how other schools implement the curriculum.”
“When Lily first approached me with her Brain Buddies idea, I could not have imagined how broad-reaching the program would become,” said Lennox. “She very clearly stated her vision. She had planned her curriculum and knew the outcomes she wanted. And then, the Upper School students showed up! It has been so fun to hear how excited the students have been to be involved in Brain Buddies, as they have reported their service hours. It has ended up embodying the true spirit of ’Service Learning’ – an education method that combines academic goals with community service. When our Upper School students share what they have learned, and know, with our Lower School Students this truly is a service to our community. I can’t wait to see how Brain Buddies flourishes this year, as new student leaders follow in Lily’s footsteps.”
