The first topic of discussion, “Unpacking the Adolescent Brain,” will be led by Dr. Abigail Baird, the director of the laboratory of adolescent studies at Vassar College.

Mayor David Cicilline will moderate the forum, which will also include Priscilla Little from the Harvard Family Research project and Edward Dulaney from the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning.

The forum will also look at four programs in particular –– three after school programs and one middle school –– and how they are creating new models based on research.

Panelists for this discussion include Shanita Burney, assistant director, Project My Time, DC Children and Youth Trust Co; Patrick Duhon, deputy director, PASA; Dinah Larbi, principal, Springfield Middle School, Providence; and Emily Stainer, program director, Citizen Schools.