Curated OER
Kids Health: Quiz: Brain & Nervous System
Test knowledge and understanding of how the brain and the nervous system function.
Scholastic
Scholastic: The Awesomely Evolved Human Brain
This lesson plan reinforces comprehension of key facts and concepts in the student article "The Awesomely Evolved Human Brain." Students will understand that the brain's reward system has evolved to help ensure the survival of the...
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: The Fore Brain or Prosencephalon
This site from Bartleby.com contains an intense, in-depth article from Henry Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body on the fore-brain or prosencephalon. The article discusses the thalamus throughout and touches on its functions as a whole.
Other
University of Nebraska at Omaha: Brains Rule! Games: Ecstasy Invaders
Go on a mission inside a nerve cell to find out about how neurons produce and release neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons. Learn what happens to these brain chemicals when the drug ecstasy interrupts the process.
BioEd Online
Bio Ed Online: Using All Our Sources to Understand Our World
How do we use our senses to understand our surroundings? What types of input are provided by the different senses? In this lesson students use all of their senses to understand that there are different types of sensory receptors in the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: That's Hot! Robot Brain Programming
With the challenge to program computers to mimic the human reaction after touching a hot object, students program LEGO robots to "react" and move back quickly once their touch sensors bump into something. By relating human senses to...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Psychology: Biological Foundations
Virtual learning course on human biology and brain function and how it affects our behaviors. Extensive collection of engaging materials, assignments, and activities for review.
University of Washington
University of Washington: Neuroscience for Kids: Stroop Effect
Do words or colors have more influence over what you read? Try this interactive Stroop Effect test to find out what causes the results.
University of Washington
Neuroscience for Kids: Brain Awareness Week
Although this site is for Brain Awareness Week, the many hyperlinks on the site are very worthwhile in the study of neuroscience. Be sure to check out the many activities on the experiments and activities page.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Multitasking: Brain Drain or Boost in Efficiency?
Think it's a good idea to plug into iTunes, surf the Web, or watch TV while doing homework or trying to read? Many people do it and claim that jumping from one activity to another keeps their attention level up and even gives their brain...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: 11.42 Central Nervous System
Learn the structure and function of the central nervous system.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: 11.43 Peripheral Nervous System
Understand the structure and function of the peripheral nervous system in the human body.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Tools to Be More Present With Students
How we can be in the parasympathetic "rest and digest" state of our nervous system or the sympathetic "fight or flight" at any given moment. In both cases, we can only operate in one or the other brain networks at any given moment. Here...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Paw Preference in Pets
The great majority of people have a distinct hand preference. The goal of this science fair project is to determine whether non-primate mammals (e.g., dogs or cats) have a paw preference, which might indicate lateralization of function...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Humans Are Like Robots
Four lessons related to robots and people present students with life sciences concepts related to the human body (including brain, nervous systems and muscles), introduced through engineering devices and subjects (including computers,...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Adolescent Brain
In this transcript from FRONTLINE: "Inside the Teenage Brain," neuroscientist Dr. Jay Giedd discusses new research on brain development in teenagers.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How Stress Affects Your Brain
Madhumita Murgia shows how chronic stress can affect brain size, its structure, and how it functions, right down to the level of your genes. [4:16]
Other
Ralph C. Merkle: Memory
Very technical discussion of modern theory in the science of memory and brain function.
Curated OER
Kids Health: Eyes
Your eyes see, but how does vision happen? Find out how the eyes and brain work together through this video and accompanying activity guide. [6:09]
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Neuron
Wikipedia offers an overall description of neurons. This site describes their physical appearance, the different parts of neurons, and what their functions are.
The Tech Interactive
Tech Museum of Innovation: How We See
Part of a larger sight on the eyeball and its function, this section describes the process of sight and ranges in topics from the chemical reaction of light hitting the retina to blind spots and animals seeing color.
BBC
Bbc: Human Anatomy: Organs
Explore the anatomy of the human body. Click on an organ or other body part to read more about its structure and function, and then try out an interactive activity for that organ.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Blood Clots, Polymers and Strokes
Students are introduced to the circulatory system with an emphasis on the blood clotting process, including coagulation and the formation and degradation of polymers through their underlying atomic properties. They learn about the...
PBS
Pbs: Misunderstood Minds
A wonderful spotlight on scientific explanations behind learning differences and strategies to aid success in school. Includes profiles of the students in the documentary as well as interactive activities designed to give site visitors a...