Allen Institute / AIBS Resource Reuse Policy for NeuroTrailblazers

Principle

Link and scaffold; do not duplicate mature scientific-resource training.

Allen Institute already maintains authoritative scientific browsers, database guides, and educator-facing material. NeuroTrailblazers should add pedagogical value around those resources rather than create parallel manuals that will drift out of date.

USE / ADAPT / LINK rules

LINK

Use a direct link when Allen already provides:

• interface instructions;
• user manuals;
• database navigation;
• official dataset documentation;
• maintained notebooks.

ADAPT

Create a NeuroTrailblazers wrapper when learners need:

• a scientific question;
• prerequisites;
• a short glossary;
• an interpretation task;
• a comparison to another map type;
• an assessment;
• a connection to CONNECTS.

BUILD

Build original material only when the learning objective is not already served by Allen’s resource.

Examples:

• Atlas vs. Connectome conceptual activity;
• projectome vs synaptic-connectome comparison;
• public investment / Grant Detective;
• evidence/impact literacy;
• hidden curriculum;
• career and contribution pathways.

ABC Atlas example

Do not build: another button-by-button ABC Atlas manual.

Do build:

Use the Allen ABC Atlas to find two cell populations. What evidence defines them? What does the atlas tell you that a connectome would not? What would you need next to ask who they connect to?

MICrONS example

Do not build: a competing MICrONS viewer tutorial when official teaching material exists.

Do build:

Use the authentic resource to compare structure and activity. Which claims rely on anatomy? Which rely on activity? Which require both?