About This Lesson
In this activity, students investigate the brain processes that occur when making decisions and consider the potential effects of underage drinking on those processes.
Students work in pairs to conduct research to learn about the cerebral cortex, frontal lobe, and the decision-making process. They then create a decision tree in response to a given scenario. Partners form small groups where they will share their decision-making processes with each other and discuss how underage drinking may have changed the process and/or the final decision.
Students will:
- Identify what the brain does, what alcohol does to it, and how that affects behavior and decision making.
- Identify the area of the brain associated with decision-making.
- Describe choices and consequences in response to a scenario.
- Analyze the decision-making process using a decision tree.
- Predict the effects of underage drinking on their ability to make healthy decisions.
Time required:
- 60 minutes
Student Materials
- Electronic devices with Internet access
- Handout: Simple Decision-Making Tree Sample (to be projected for class)
- Handout: Simple Decision-Making Tree Template (one per small group)
- Pens and pencils
Optional Resources
