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Lesson Plan
University of Minnesota

Mirroring Emotions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Do you ever give your class the "teacher look"? Without saying a word, they become silent and engaged (hopefully). How do they know what you're thinking? Explore the concept of nonverbal communication and how it relates to our mirror...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Baylor College

What Is a Neuron?

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Your class won't get on your nerves while doing this modeling activity! After teaching the structure and function of a neuron using the included diagrams, give individuals some clay and chenille stems so that they can make their own...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Baylor College

Neurotransmitters Contain Chemicals

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Human body systems learners play a card game, "Locks & Keys" in order to learn that neurotransmitters carry a message from one neuron to another by fitting into a receptor site on the receiving nerve cell. While this activity can...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Baylor College

Crossing the Synaptic Gap

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
As part of a unit on the chemistry of the brain, thinkers learn how chemicals work to transmit messages between individual neurons and how controlled substances impact the synaptic cleft. They do so by playing a dice-and-card game in...
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Interactive4:05
Scholastic

Study Jams! The Nervous System

For Students 5th - 10th Standards
Get your class thinking with animations of neurons in action and explanations of how stimuli is transported and processed. This film makes an ideal introduction or review of the nervous system. The parts of the brain and what they...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Neurons and the Nervous System

For Teachers 7th - 12th
The highlight of this series is activitiy #4. Anatomy pupils examine slides of three unknown cells. With the function of the nervous system in mind, they consider the structure of each and try to guess which one is part of that system....
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Nervous System

For Students 9th - 12th
Human biology beginners label colorful diagrams of the neuron, the reflex pathway, and the brain. They list steps in the action potential process, and describe several different neurotransmitters. This worksheet guides learners through...
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Lesson Plan
University of Minnesota

WebQuest: Structure of the Nervous System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
What could be more natural than learning about learning? Scholars research the central nervous systems and the learning process through a well-designed WebQuest. They study the structure as well as discover the functions of those...
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Lesson Plan
University of Minnesota

Bead Neuron

For Teachers 5th - 12th
What do you call a skull without neurons? A no-brainer! A hands-on activity asks scholars to build a model of a neuron using beads. They use their models to study the parts of the neuron and their functions.
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Lesson Plan
University of Minnesota

Neuropathfinding: Kinesthetic Model

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Playing follow the leader has never been so interesting! Get the class up and moving while they take on the roles of nervous system components. Through trial and error, they learn the importance of the "pioneer" growth cone that leads...
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Interactive
Open Colleges

Your Brain Map: Strategies for Accelerated Learning

For Students 9th - 12th
The brain is a complex organ with many different structures and functions. An interactive diagram allows learners to explore the different structures while pop-ups describe their functions. Secondary interactives show the structures of...
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Unit Plan
Kenan Fellows

Unit 4: The Brain

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Drugs interact with the brain to alter moods, emotions, and behaviors by changing the brain's chemistry, perceptions, and interactions. The final lesson in the Pharmacology unit shows scholars experiments, has them complete four labs,...
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Interactive
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Neural Control of Walking and Running

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Physical therapists state that relearning how to walk often motivates stroke and brain injury patients. Researchers spend a great deal of time focused on understanding the neural control required for walking. They pass along that...
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Interactive
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Electrical Activity of Neurons

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
How do neurons that don't touch each other share information? Observe electrical activity traveling from neurons and learn what it takes to trigger action potential. A video discusses recent research manipulating neurons, how responses...
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Lesson Plan
University of Minnesota

Neurotransmission Model

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Don't lose your marbles — you'll need them for a lesson on neurotransmission. Young scholars build a neurotransmission model using marbles, beads, rubber bands, string, and other elements. After studying specific neurotransmitters,...
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Lesson Plan
University of Minnesota

Beautiful Brain: Strangest Dream

For Teachers 5th - 9th Standards
Do words change or add meaning or interest to a work of art? The final lesson in a four-part series on the beautiful brain as a work of art focuses on art analysis. Scholars write a story about exploring art from the inside. Reflections...
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Lesson Plan
University of Minnesota

Beautiful Brain: Step Inside the Brain

For Teachers 5th - 9th Standards
Before digital microscopes, scientists hired artists to draw the things visible in the microscope. Through training in neuroscience and art, Cajal revolutionized the way we view the beautiful brain. The third lesson in a series of four...
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Lesson Plan
University of Minnesota

Beautiful Brain: Brain Inspiration

For Teachers 5th - 9th Standards
"Neuroscientists consider Cajal as important to their discipline as Einstein is to physics." The first of four lessons has scholars view Santiago Ramon y Cajal's drawings of neurons. They reflect and respond to the art through writing...
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Lesson Plan
University of Minnesota

Connect the Neurons!

For Students 5th - 8th
Create a neuron frenzy as your pupils play the part of the neurons. An engaging instructional activity creates a human chain of neurons that pass cotton balls posing as neurotransmitters. Scholars learn about pre- and post-synapses as...
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Lesson Plan
University of Minnesota

Virtual Neurons

For Teachers 5th - 12th
It's electric! Young anatomists use Virtual Neurons software to build, control, and analyze complex nerve circuits within the body. Colorful and packed with content, class members enjoy interacting with the nervous system at a personal...
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Lesson Plan
University of Minnesota

Altered Reality

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Fascinate young life scientists by showing them how their brain learns. By using prism goggles while attempting to toss bean bags at a target, lab partners change their outlook on the world around them, producing amusing results....
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Lesson Plan
University of Minnesota

Dendritic Spines Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This is your brain on drugs ... literally! Your neuroscientists-in-training examine the evidence of drug use on the human brain and how neurons change their connectivity when altered by drugs. They then work together to create testing...
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Interactive
PhET

Neuron

For Students 9th - Higher Ed Standards
Neurons send electrical signals throughout a body based on chemical communication. Individuals stimulate a neuron to see the effects. They notice the sodium-potassium channels along with ions, concentrations, and a membrane potential...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Teach Engineering

Processes on Complex Networks

For Students 7th - 10th Standards
Introduces your class to random processes in networks with an activity that uses information about disease spread using the susceptible, infectious, resistant (SIR) model. Participants determine whether a susceptible person becomes...