In 2023, the URJA Foundation collaborated with Ms. Sanah Thakur to initiate the Brain Science Project, an innovative extra-curricular activity designed for children up to 12 years of age. The initiative seeks to introduce young learners to the fascinating world of neuroscience and help them understand how their brains function — a foundation for emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and effective learning. The long-term vision is to gradually expand the program to include participants of all age groups.

About the Facilitator

Sanah Thakur – Mental Wellbeing Facilitator, Educator, and Writer

Sanah Thakur is an international speaker, educator, and writer with a background in Psychology and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Psychology and Sociology. Having taught at leading British International Schools, she has developed extensive experience in supporting student well-being and academic growth.

She is also a trained facilitator and assessor for The Fear Project — a program focused on psychological resilience and mental well-being.

Sanah is the founder of “Sanation”, an organization inspired by the educational philosophy of Jiddu Krishnamurti, which aims to realign educational priorities toward self-understanding rather than examination pressure. Her teaching experience revealed a gap between theoretical psychological knowledge and its practical application in students’ lives. This realization has guided her mission to make psychology accessible and meaningful to young learners.

Her global work includes:

  • Delivering workshops on stress management, anxiety reduction, and memory techniques for students.
  • Presenting a TEDx Talk titles “The Education System Must Die”.
  • Authoring over 50 articles on memory, well-being, personality, and cognitive psychology for the Gulf Times.
  • Designing and co-authoring four online courses at Passare Consultancy UK, aimed at supporting marginalized communities in India.

The Pilot Project

The Brain Science Club was piloted at Mulvery School in collaboration with the URJA Foundation. The program introduced 10–12-year-old students to engaging activities and interactive sessions on brain function, neuroplasticity, and emotional awareness.

Outcomes:

  • The pilot yielded mixed results, primarily due to the novelty of the subject and the need for further adaptation to school structures.
  • Both the school staff and the facilitators gained valuable insights, learning from each other’s experiences throughout the process.
  • Despite challenges, both parties have expressed a strong desire to continue and refine the initiative.

Following the success of this collaboration, the project has now been extended to another school in the same area, allowing for broader reach and evaluation.

Facilitator’s Reflection

“This year, I worked with URJA Foundation to pilot the first extra-curricular club focused on understanding the brain and neuroscience. I developed activities and resources for 10–12-year-old students, using my experience in teaching psychology and working with teenagers.

Many schools, particularly those with established national or international curricula, find it difficult to introduce new programs. Thanks to the openness of Mrs. Raka Singh and the school, we successfully launched this initiative. I only realized at age 21 how crucial the brain is to every aspect of life and learning — so I believe it’s essential for students to gain that understanding much earlier.”

Conclusion

The Brain Science Extra-Curricular Activity represents a promising step toward integrating neuroscience and mental well-being education into early learning. It has demonstrated the potential to cultivate curiosity, self-awareness, and resilience among students. With continued support and collaboration, this initiative aims to become a model program for holistic education, encouraging children to explore the most powerful tool they possess — their own brain.