MAKE YOUR OWN: MAKE Brain Map
(Design by David Shaw, Intel)
Public schools typically have big rolls of craft paper in vibrant primary colors that are perfect for creating a huge brain map on a gym, cafeteria or classroom floor! Tape everything down well 🙂
We always include the four laterally visible cortical lobes (frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal), plus the cerebellum and brainstem. We often add the amygdala and hippocampus to the temporal lobe as well – and an eyeball!
A core idea we love to convey is that structure determines function – different brain regions contribute to different cognitive and perceptual abilities. We describe the functions of these different regions, and then ask students to express what each area does through their own drawing.
We ask: “How would you explain what networks of neurons in this brain area help you do – through a picture?” People seem to love this prompt – and the results are striking!
Scenes from the amygdala…
After multiple classes, you can get a terrific gallery of images, and kids that know their brain areas, too!
LEARN MORE: A Synapse with Sitton
LEARN MORE: Dopamine in Davenport
LEARN MORE: Occipital lobes at Ogden!