UK Science Week is days away, and this year’s theme is Change – a topic that is both fascinating and fundamental to how we learn and grow. As you explore this theme with your students, we’re excited to help you highlight how change occurs in the brain and how you can bring neuroscience into the classroom with fun, engaging activities.
At Braintastic! Science, we believe that understanding the brain and how it adapts can spark curiosity and empower students to embrace change, whether it's in how they learn, how they handle challenges, or how they manage their emotions. This article will guide you through some brain-based facts and classroom activities that explore the concept of change, based on the latest neuroscience research. Let’s dive into the fascinating science of how change shapes the brain!
The Brain’s Ability to Change: Understanding Neuroplasticity
One of the most powerful aspects of the brain is its ability to change over time. This process, known as neuroplasticity, allows the brain to reorganise and form new neural connections throughout our lives. Neuroplasticity means that the brain isn’t a fixed structure; it’s flexible and capable of adapting based on our experiences. This is an important concept for students to understand because it shows them that their brains are always growing and evolving – and they have the power to shape that growth!
Students can learn that their brains are capable of adapting to new challenges, which helps foster a growth mindset and builds resilience. So how can we explore this idea of change with students during UK Science Week?
Classroom Activity: Neuroplasticity and Brain Training
Objective: Help students understand neuroplasticity and how learning new skills can physically change the brain.
Neuroplasticity is best understood through experience. To show students how repetition helps strengthen neural connections, try a fun brain-training activity.
How it works:
Ask students to lift their right foot slightly.
Rotate the foot in clockwise circles.
Keep it going!
Now, draw a 6 in the air with their right hand.
Ask the students what happened – most likely, their foot started going the wrong way.
Then give them a few minutes to practice. Does it get easier?
This activity reinforces the idea that change is a continuous process in the brain and encourages students to embrace challenges, knowing that effort leads to improvement.
Classroom Activity: Exploring Emotional Resilience and Change
Objective: Teach students how emotional experiences influence brain function and how they can build resilience.
Emotional resilience is an essential aspect of dealing with change. The brain’s ability to cope with stress and bounce back from challenges is crucial in navigating both big and small life changes. By helping students understand how their brains react to stress, we can empower them to build emotional strength.
How it works:
Begin by discussing how the brain reacts to stress. Explain the role of the amygdala, the part of the brain that processes emotions, and the prefrontal cortex, which helps regulate emotions and make decisions.
Ask students to reflect on a stressful situation they’ve faced and how they managed it. Did they use strategies like deep breathing, talking to a friend, or taking a break?
Teach students that emotional resilience, like neuroplasticity, is something that can be developed over time by practicing these strategies.
To make this activity even more engaging, lead the class through a quick mindfulness or deep-breathing exercise. Discuss how these techniques activate the prefrontal cortex, helping the brain handle stress more effectively.
Classroom Activity: Memory and Change – How the Brain Remembers
Objective: Explore how we store memories, and develop strategies for improving our memory.
Memory is another area where change is evident in the brain. The hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory formation, is constantly altering how we recall events based on new information or experiences. This is a great opportunity to show students how our memories change over time.
How it works:
Show the students a tray of different items – toys, stationery, keys... whatever you have to hand – for 30 seconds. Ask them to memories as many items as they can.
Cover the tray and remove three items.
Uncover the tray. Which items are missing?
Then, discuss different memory strategies. They could break the items into categories, such as colour or theme, or tell themselves a story, linking the items together.
Try the game again. Was it easier this time?
Our live shows Mastering Memory (KS4–KS5) and Memory Games (KS2–KS3) dive into the neuroscience of memory, and give students tips and tricks for how to improve their memories and study more efficiently.
Classroom Activity: Embodied Cognition – How our Bodies Change our Emotions
Objective: Discover how we can change our emotional reactions through facial expression and body language.
Our bodies and brains work closely together. We know that our emotions affect our bodies – smiling when we're happy, or getting butterflies in our stomach when we're nervous – but this works the other way too! This activity will help students understand how they can change their mood using their bodies.
How it works:
Show students a range of different, neutral pictures. This could be people with neural facial expressions, or inanimate objects.
Ask them to write down how each picture makes them feel.
Then, ask students to hold a pen or pencil between their teeth. This simulates smiling, which causes our brains to release endorphins[1].
Show them another set of images. Do they feel more positively about this new set of pictures?
Another alternative is to ask students to change their posture. Start by slouching, crossing their arms, and tilting their head down. Then, ask them to sit up straight, with their shoulders back and chest out. Does this change how they feel?
Celebrate Change During UK Science Week!
As we celebrate UK Science Week, let’s remind ourselves that change is an ongoing process in both the world and our brains. By exploring the science of neuroplasticity, emotional resilience, memory, and embodied cognition, we can help students understand that their brains are constantly evolving – and that they have the power to influence that change.
We hope these classroom activities inspire you to bring neuroscience to life in your school. By embracing change, we can encourage students to explore new challenges, develop new skills, and, most importantly, feel empowered to shape their own futures.
Happy UK Science Week! Let’s make it a week of exciting discoveries and lasting change!
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