Career Connections at SAVY Saturday, Week 1, Neuroscience at Work (7th-8th)
Today, students began their exciting journey into the world of neuroscience! We focused on understanding the brain’s structure, how it works, and how neuroscience connects to everyday life.
The day started with a class concept map that we will develop over the three Saturdays to track what we are learning as a group. I was pleasantly surprised at how much everyone already knew about the brain. We jumped right into a real-world example (the Stroop effect) of how neuroscientists and psychologists use unique tasks to study the brain and neurological processes. We discussed why studying the brain is essential—from understanding decision-making to improving learning and memory.
We explored the brain’s major regions by becoming detectives and reviewing unique medical case studies that informed what neuroscience understands about different brain regions and their role in controlling movement, emotions, and basic survival functions. This allowed students to start developing their own working models of the brain.
Students also learned about neurons—the brain’s communication superstars. Using models they built with their own hands and fun hands-on games, they simulated how neurons send signals to each other through synaptic transmission, discovering how this process underpins everything from reflexes to thinking.
Through these activities, students built foundational knowledge about the brain and explored how neuroscience impacts their daily experiences. Next week, we’ll dive into the world of sensory systems and perception, uncovering how the brain processes the information we take in from the world around us to influence our behavior and cognition.
Questions to Ask Your Student About Day 1:
- What are some of the main parts of the brain, and what do they do?
- How do neurons communicate with each other? Can you describe the process you learned?
- What’s an example of how your brain helps you with something you do every day?
- What surprised you the most about how the brain works?
These questions are a great way to spark conversation and give your child an opportunity to share what they’ve learned! Stay tuned for more updates on their neuroscience adventure.
Your instructor,
Israel Flores, PhD