Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Inspire Indiana and their coalition, Kosciusko Drug Free, hosted its 2026 Brain Summit at Wawasee Middle School on Sept. 18 and 25, bringing an immersive, science-based learning experience to more than 200 eighth-grade students during Warrior Time.
The two-day event featured five interactive stations designed to help students understand how everyday choices and behaviors impact the brain, according to a news release from Inspire Indiana.
The Brain Summit was made possible through community partnerships, including Grace College, Professor Sharon Dutkowski, Dr. Kelly Arney and Dr. Derrick Angier, along with Grace College students who assisted with facilitation and student engagement.
Students rotated through five stations, each focused on a different aspect of brain health, decision-making and the science behind teen behavior:
• Train Your Brain led by Grace College Professor Sharon Dutkowski taught students practical strategies for strengthening resilience, managing stress and understanding how coping skills support healthy brain development.
• The Brain on Smartphones: Dopamine on Demand presented by Dr. Derrick Angier explored how smartphone use affects dopamine pathways, attention and emotional regulation — giving students a clearer picture of how technology shapes their daily habits.
• Dance & Movement Students learned how physical activity boosts mood, improves cognitive function and supports long-term brain health.
• Fatal Vision Goggles Activities Through hands-on simulations let students experience how impairment affects coordination, reaction time and decision-making.
• Nicotine & Nutrition stations highlighted how substances and food choices influence the developing brain, energy levels and overall wellness.
Grace College students played a key role in supporting each station, guiding activities and helping students connect scientific concepts to real-life experiences.
“We are incredibly grateful to Wawasee Middle School, our partners and the experts who made this year’s Brain Summit such a meaningful experience,” said Renea Salyer, executive director of Inspire Indiana. “Our goal is to empower students with knowledge that helps them make healthy, informed decisions. The enthusiasm and engagement we saw from these eighth-graders was inspiring.”
Teachers and administrators shared positive feedback, noting strong student participation and the value of bringing neuroscience-based prevention education directly into the school day, the release stated.
Inspire Indiana Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening youth, families, and communities through prevention education, resilience-building programs, and collaborative partnerships. The Brain Summit is one of several initiatives designed to equip young people with tools to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally to stay substance free.
For more information, contact Inspire Indiana Inc. at renea@inspire-in.org or 574-337-7284.
