This lesson plan created for middle school students provides an overview of brain anatomy and explains how the different brain regions relate to human behavior. An understanding of how the brain works to regulate emotions and common behaviors such as learning and memory, aggression, creativity and sleep for example, is both enlightening and empowering. Moreover, providing students with this knowledge is important due to the increased incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders (Autism, Schizophrenia, Bipolar), neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer and Parkinson) and psychiatric conditions (depression, ADHD, PTSD, addiction) all of which have profound effects on behavior. This lesson plan also contains brief sections on (i) the physical characteristics of the brain and (ii) tips for maintaining a healthy brain.
Our group (www.bioscienceproject.org) designed this lesson plan in the spirit of Brain Awareness Week, a global initiative sponsored by the Dana Foundation. http://www.dana.org/baw/
