The purpose of education is to guide human development towards a whole, thriving, thinking child. Cognitive Scientist Scott Barry Kaufman has discovered that Psychologist Abraham Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs” was not based on a pyramid where human must advance up a ladder to self-actualization, but was, instead, more like a sailboat where the boat of safety and social connections must integrate with the sail of curiosity, exploration, and purpose for humans to grow and thrive. Brain domains, such as social connections, belonging, emotions, thinking, problem solving, curiosity, motivation, and meaning are not isolated pieces, but part of a dynamically interacting neural system. This interdisciplinary conference will explore how the brain and human needs are interconnected and are essential for learning and school success. Discover science-based strategies to develop whole, thriving, social, collaborative, engaged, curious, creative, critical thinkers.