6th Science Factory: TMS–EEG Summer School and Workshop

Overview

The Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering at Aalto University School of Science will organize a learning event titled 6th Science Factory: TMS–EEG Summer School and Workshop, on May 18–23, 2018. With the 6th Science Factory we continue to enhance the interaction and discussion within the international TMS–EEG community. During the intensive week, the participants will share their ideas and results and the beginners will learn about the methodology from more experienced researchers.

This year the main venue is Solvalla, Espoo, Finland. It is located only 35 km from Helsinki, in a beautiful place by a lake, just next to the Nuuksio National Park.

The participation fee of the course includes accommodation for 4 nights (Fri–Tue) in Solvalla, where the core of the workshop is held, one night of accommodation in a hotel next to Aalto University campus (Tue–Wed), meals during the course, and a bus transportation to Solvalla and back. The participation fee is 850 euros with early-bird registration (deadline Wednesday, January 31, 2018, the sooner the better since the number of students is limited to 40!), or 880 euros otherwise (deadline Wednesday, February 28, 2018). Students will be accommodated in double rooms.

We recommend that the participants will be granted 3 ECTS credits for the work done during the course and during preparation for the course and presentations there.

Application

The course is targeted to students working with TMS, the emphasis being in TMS–EEG. The participants are chosen based on their applications and level of studies; primarily, master or doctoral students, and post-doctoral researchers are chosen.

Please send your applications including a short motivation letter (max. one page, in PDF form), describing why you want to participate in the course, to Victor Hugo Souza (victor.souza [at] aalto [dot] fi) by Wednesday, January 31, 2018 (or latest, Wednesday, February 28, 2018) (registration form).

Outline of the workshop

Different kinds of formats of teaching will be used in addition to lectures. The students are divided into small groups, each group with its own senior coach. During the course, the group members work together on tasks related to the lectures of the other teachers, while the coach works as a mentor. Students are expected to participate actively in the various sessions and events. There will be TMS–EEG devices available for demonstrations and hands-on practice during the week.

Each coach will conduct a teaching session on his/her own research and perception of the field in an interactive manner. During each session, one small group and its coach will act as designated opponents, while the remaining students are also expected to participate in the discussion.

The 6th Science Factory will include:

• Preparatory lectures of TMS basics and TMS–EEG methodology.

• Teaching sessions where leading researchers of the field will present their work and understanding, discuss the topics, and coach the students.

• Hands-on sessions and demonstrations with TMS–EEG devices.

• Demonstrations and group work on data analysis.

• Students’ poster presentations where the students can present their work and ideas, receiving feedback from top researchers of the field.

• A data analysis workshop (Wednesday, May 23 at Aalto University).

• Last but not least, some brains-off-duty time, including various possibilities to enjoy the beautiful nature around us, the lake, sauna, live music, sports and other refreshing activities.

Before the course

Students are expected to prepare in advance a microposter (template will be provided later) about their background and interests for the microposter session on Friday, May 18. The microposter is not a scientific poster, but rather a concise description of you as a scientist.

In addition, students will present their research work in a poster presentation during the course. Note that also old scientific posters are allowed in the poster presentation. Students are also expected to read some preparatory material prior to the course (to be provided later).