Group facilitation for Science Communication

Group facilitation and question-based pedagogy  

For Brain Awareness Week this year, I made two changes to my presentations. The first was the use of group facilitation techniques that I use for my creative aging sessions. The second was the adoption of a question-based pedagogy, where participant questions are embedded into the presentation from the very beginning. Using Bharatanatyam and its intersection with neuroscience, we generated many questions over the course of the talk at the Allerton Branch of the New York Public Library. I found this approach so much more participatory and democratic, with many questions building on other questions in the group! 
​Some fascinating questions that emerged were:

• "What is the oldest language? 
• "Why do some people dream in images rather than words"? 
• "How do we interpret the emotions of others"? 
• "If we speak multiple languages, why and how does the brain decide which language I dream in, and which language I think in"? 
• "Where does the intersection of culture and emotion live? Why are certain words more endearing in my native language?" 

"Science is Artful!" at Allerton NYPL branch. PC: Aravind Mallipudi

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I look forward to employing these techniques again as part of Science Saturday: The Human Machine at  Columbia University's Zuckerman Institute on March 28th, 2026. I will be talking about the link between hand and brain evolution! 

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A few comments on this work and approach: 

• "I was thinking about your work as I studied Hazrat Inayat Khan, and learned his view that the three essential means used to elevate humanity and express the soul's joy are Singing (Gayan), Instrumental Music (Vadan), and Dancing (Nirtan or Nirtya). Might be more important now than ever!"
• "Brilliant work, as usual, D. Iyengar! You are leading a human-centered, arts-informed, science-supported path towards brain health and happiness with your good work! You may be interested in the work of fiber artist, Lauren Kingsland, too. That hand-to-brain connection is so interesting!" 
• "Interesting questions...each of your posts makes me wish I lived in New York City to be able to attend your sessions! Good luck with this one."
• "Another great program! I love the questions!'
• "Very much looking forward to having you join another event with us. Thanks for being a part of our Saturday Science program and bringing your valuable scientific knowledge and insights to our spaces!"
• "Really wonderful questions! You should share the answers!"
• "What an infinitely curious world we live in!"