The NSF Center of Excellence for Learning in Education, Science, and Technology (CELEST) brings together leading scientists, educators, and technologists from Boston University, Brandeis University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Pennsylvania to study real-time autonomous learning systems by integrating experimental and computational brain science, biologically inspired technology, and classroom innovation.

The Boston University Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems (CNS) and the CNS Technology Lab serve as the home base for CELEST technology research and development.

CNS research and training programs address two broad questions:
  

How does the brain control behavior?
How can technology emulate biological intelligence?

The first question is a modern form of the Mind/Body problem. The second question supports the development of intelligent technologies that are well suited to human societies. These two scientific and technological foci are symbiotic because brains are unparalleled in their ability to adapt intelligently to complex and novel environments.

The CNS Technology Lab provides a bridge between the computational principles that underlie the mechanisms of thought and behavior and the application of neural network systems to research and development problems in industry, academia, and government.

This website provides articles, algorithms, data sets, FAQs, links, and tutorials to facilitate the transfer of cognitive and neural models and technology.