Cognitive Science Academy

A nine-month virtual masterclass series for instructional teams to apply cognitive science research to classroom practice


CELL is partnering with InnerDrive to launch the Cognitive Science Academy, the first program of its kind in the US to help instructional teams connect the dots between cognitive science research and classroom practice.

Instructional teams participate in nine virtual, interactive masterclasses led by international experts in the field of cognitive science.

Keep reading to learn more about the Cognitive Science Academy and your next steps.

Explore the Cognitive Science Academy

Applications for the 2024-2025 cohort are now closed. Learn more about the Cognitive Science Academy and complete an interest form to request more information about the next cohort.

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Background

InnerDrive, a London-based teaching and learning team, has led school visits and training events across the United Kingdom. In 2022, they started the Cognitive Science Network for schools in the UK. The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis is partnering with InnerDrive to launch the Cognitive Science Academy in the US so that instructional teams can be part of this transformative virtual masterclass series.

Who should participate

The Cognitive Science Academy is designed for instructional teams of up to four people, including:

  • Superintendents
  • Principals
  • Instructional Coaches
  • Assistant Superintendents
  • Assistant Principals
  • Teachers

Schedule and Topics

The 2024-2025 cohort of the Cognitive Science Academy runs from September 2024 through May 2025. Participants meet virtually on one Thursday a month from 1-2:30 PM Eastern.

September 12, 2024

Cognitive Load Theory - Bradley Busch and Zach Groshell
Dr. Zach Groshell is an experienced primary school teacher, having taught second through fifth grade in the US, Vietnam, Sudan, and China. Dr. Groshell has completed his Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in instructional design. Zach maintains an active professional presence on Twitter (@mrzachg) and his blog, educationrickshaw.com.

October 10, 2024

Chokepoints and Pitfalls for Learning - Blake Harvard
Blake Harvard is an AP Psychology teacher at a high school in Alabama. He reads and writes about the application of cognitive psychology in the classroom to improve learning outcomes at his website, The Effortful Educator. Blake has worked with the National Center for Education Research, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, ISTE, COGx, and Deans for Impact in an advisory role.

November 14, 2024

Spacing and Retrieval Practice - Jade Pearce
Jade Pearce is a teacher and Director of Programmes, leading trust-wide professional development. With twelve years of experience teaching economics and business, she is passionate about evidence-informed practice. She is the author of What Every Teacher Needs To Know and regularly writes for education media.

December 12, 2024 

Interleaving - Amarbeer Singh
Amarbeer Singh is a teacher educator, author, and lead practitioner of secondary math. He is the author of Strengthening the Student Toolbox ‘In Action’ and the popular blog Unpacking Education. He works as a teacher educator for Ambition Institute, runs a charity in his hometown, and is in big demand to speak at education conferences. You can follow him @SinghAmarbeerG.

January 16, 2025

Asking Effective Questions - Edward Watson
Edward Watson is the founder of InnerDrive and co-author of the international best-selling books The Science of Learning: 99 Studies That Every Teacher Needs to Know and Teaching and Learning Illuminated: Big Ideas, Beautifully Illustrated. He is one of the leading experts on how to illuminate cognitive science research in education. He has designed and delivered student and staff training to hundreds of schools around the world. He is an Oxford University graduate, was a major in the army, has an MBA from London Business School, and was a strategic management consultant with FTSE 100 companies. His specific areas of interest include understanding how learning happens, leadership, and motivation.

February 13, 2025

Developing Motivated, Independent, Resilient Students - Bradley Busch
Bradley Busch is a psychologist at InnerDrive and one of the world’s leading experts on how schools can translate cognitive psychology research to improve learning. He is the co-author of the international best-selling books The Science of Learning: 99 Studies That Every Teacher Needs to Know and Teaching and Learning Illuminated: Big Ideas, Beautifully Illustrated. He has worked with hundreds of schools, both with staff and students. Outside of education, he has worked with Premier League footballers as well as with Olympians and Paralympians who have medalled at London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020.

March 13, 2025

Metacognition - Jenny Webb
Jennifer Webb is an English teacher, assistant principal, and research lead at Trinity Academy Cathedral in Wakefield. She is an education author, blogger, and speaker with interests in cognitive science, literacy, and disadvantage. She has written several best-selling books for teachers, including The Metacognition Handbook.

April 17, 2025

Cognitive Science for SEND Students - Dr. Pippa Busch
Dr. Pippa Busch is a child and exercise psychologist who specializes in working with SEND students. Dr. Busch has worked with thousands of teachers from hundreds of schools, helping them translate psychological research into day-to-day strategies that they can use in their classroom.

May 15, 2025

Myths and Misconceptions About Learning - Jim Heal
Jim Heal works at Deans for Impact, a national nonprofit helping to infuse cognitive science principles into teacher training. Prior to that, he was Director of Practice at Harvard’s Research Schools International initiative. He completed his initial teacher training at King’s College London and spent over a decade as an English teacher, principal, and specialist leader in education. Jim is also co-author of How Teaching Happens: Seminal Works in Teaching and Teacher Effectiveness and What They Mean in Practice.

Cost

Registration for the inaugural 2024-2025 cohort of the Cognitive Science Academy was $6,500 per instructional team. The cost includes all nine virtual masterclasses for teams of up to four people.