Summer SAVY, Session 5 Day 3, Exploring the Human Mind (7th-8th)
Dear “Exploring the Human Mind” parents,
Following the same structure we have been using so far, we began with some fun icebreakers to get the group warmed up. Then we jumped into a discussion about pop psychology and talked about common myths that we may have heard in our everyday lives, such as that we only use 10% of our brains or that pheromones in perfumes can help you attract a partner. We discussed the importance of looking deeper into the facts behind these headlines and considering possible limitations so that we do not spread false or oversimplified information. Hopefully, these skills will be applicable when the students inevitably come across attention-grabbing headlines, like “Is chocolate good for you?”
We had a jam-packed afternoon, starting with a class debate on Nature vs. Nurture. Specifically, whether height is related to genes or the environment. The students loved this activity, and I was beyond impressed by the empirical evidence they brought in to support their claims! After our lively debate, we were lucky to have Dr. Kathryn Humphreys give a guest lecture on one of her famous projects, the Bucharest Early Intervention Project. The students did a great job remaining engaged and asking interesting questions!
Lastly, we finished the day by going back to the computer lab to continue working on our poster presentations. Students finished conducting their literature reviews and began planning out the steps, or methods, to test their own research questions. They are continuing to work well both in groups and on their own. Their projects are shaping up to be really creative and exciting, and I can’t wait for you to see their final work!
Tonight, please feel free to engage in these dinner table questions:
- Is there a danger of overstating findings in research?
- What is most important in determining someone’s personality? Is it their genetics? Their environment? A combination of both?
Sincerely,
Abby