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Nervous System Activities for Middle & High School Teachers

Updated: May 6

If teaching the nervous system gets you nervous, you are not alone. This topic can be challenging for students and teachers alike. And the complex vocabulary involved does not make it easy either. So, how can you turn an often dreaded topic into one that will engage and excite your students? Here are some of my favorite activities that have worked over the years.


teacher and students (credit www.canva.com)
teacher and students (credit www.canva.com)

  1. Reaction Time Inquiry Lab

In this activity, students investigate how fast their eyes send visual stimuli to the brain and how the brain processes a response to catch a falling ruler. Students will discover how fast their hand movement is and how vital our reaction time is to our survival.

 What I love about this activity is that it provides students with the opportunity to collaborate with others. Also, I love seeing them collecting data and applying scientific skills.




Students conducting the reaction time lab


Click on the file for a FREE download of my reaction time lab sheet, plus a teacher guide.




  1. Neuron Role Play

Role-playing can be a wonderful teaching strategy when explaining how the nervous system works. Students will find the lesson more memorable, exciting, and engaging. Here is a breakdown of how I use role play to teach how the body's receptor cells detect stimuli and pass a signal to the brain and back.



Click on the file below for a FREE download of the teacher guide to this activity.





  1. Brain Injury Research

Chances are, some of your students play some sort of sport and are at risk of head injuries. Perfect! Why not use their daily experiences as a way to get them learning about the brain? I love doing this activity after introducing the parts of the brain and reviewing them with my students.



brain injury images(credit www.canva.com)

Lead In:

I begin with a whole-class discussion about dangerous sports like rugby, American football, wrestling, boxing, UFC, and soccer. I ask my students to share how playing these sports can negatively affect a player’s brain function.


Activity:

I ask students to imagine some players on the school team have damaged one (or two) parts of their brain during a national championship game. I put students into groups of 3 to 4, then assign them a brain part for them to research online. Their task is to prepare a short presentation about:

  1. The functions of that part of the brain.

  2. The impacts of complete or partial damage to this brain part on a player.

  3. Suggest some ways that sport regulatory/governing bodies can make sure players’ brain health is protected during games.


Closing:

Each group will present its ideas to the class. I listen carefully, ask questions after the presentation, correct any errors, and give feedback.

This activity allows students to practice their presentation skills, which is crucial for their future careers. I’m always amazed to listen to their unique perspectives on what actions sport governing bodies should take to protect players from head injuries.


Click on the file below for a FREE download of the activity sheet.



So, there you have it. These are my favorite nervous system activities. I truly believe they will be a great addition to your teaching toolbox. I encourage you to try one of them and come back to let me know how it went.

I would love to know the activities you use to teach the nervous system.


Please share in the comment section.

 
 
 

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