In this 8th Grade Social-Emotional/Science Unit, students learned about the brain:
- neuroplasticity (our brains change all the time)
- back to front development (that means that the prefrontal cortex of a teen is not fully developed)
- synaptic pruning (use it or lose it)
- how learning happens (neurons that fire together, wire together)
- the brain reward system and the DOSE neurotransmitters (dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins)
- growth mindset vs. fixed mindset
Then, they had to answer the question, “So what?”
Why does it matter?
What message do they have to share with others?
Groups designed a PSA (public service announcement).
They chose the audience, problem, and action item/solution.
Enjoy their creativity, and learn from their messages.
See the Brain PSAs here