Try one of these creative writing projects to spice up your study of the nervous system.
TOP 10 LIST
What are the top ten things you like about your brain? What are the most interesting things you have learned about the brain? What are the best ways to protect your brain and keep your brain healthy? Make a list of them and display them on a poster.
We're #1
What is your favorite part of the brain? Not the most important part, but your favorite part. What do you like about it? What does it do that you like? Be as specific as possible about the area of the brain you choose. Read about different parts of the brain.
The Future Brain
What will the brain of the future be like? Which parts of the brain will continue to evolve? Which parts will get bigger, which parts will get smaller. Will the brain grow? What will this do to the rest of the body? Will computers "interface" directly with the brain?
Sound Journal
Keep a journal that records all of the sounds that you hear in one day. Record ALL of the sounds that you hear, even those that do not seem very important. How many different sounds did you hear? How did these sounds make you feel? Compare your journal with those of other students. Did you hear similar sounds?
Drug Abuse Awareness Poster
Start a drug abuse awareness campaign. Begin by creating a poster that tells about the dangers of taking illegal drugs. Think of a catchy slogan like the famous:
"This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs."
Display your posters where everyone can see them. Visit a page about the effects of drugs on the nervous system for more information.
Brain Songs
Become a composer and create your own "Brain Song". Either create your own music or change the words to a popular song with a melody that most people know.
Brain Safety Brochure
Your brain...the most important 3 pounds in your body...so PROTECT IT! Create a "Brain Safety Brochure" that is filled with safety tips about how to protect your brain from harm. Use colored paper, pencils, crayons, markers and pens to illustrate your brochure. Cut out pictures from magazines to show good (and bad) brain safety habits.Be a Movie Critic
Here is your chance to watch a movie and learn something about the brain at the same time. Your assignment is to watch a movie about the brain (Awakenings, Charly, Rain Man, Regarding Henry, The Wild Child) and then write a short report.
Write a Letter to Show You Care
Choose an organization that supports brain research or an advocacy group devoted to neurological or mental illness. Write a letter to this group explaining your concerns and feelings. You may even ask them to send you additional information on a particular topic.
Write a Letter to a Famous Neuroscientist
Choose a famous neuroscientist and write a thank you letter to show how much you appreciate his or her discovery and contribution to brain research.
Can't think of a costume for Halloween? Why not be a neuron?
Materials:
Pink short-sleeved shirt
Blue long sleeved shirt
Pink shorts
Blue tights
Blue hat
Safety pins
Blue pipe cleaners
Cut some pipe cleaners into short pieces. Wrap these short pieces around longer pipe cleaners to make dendrites. Wrap one end of each dendrite around a safety pin. Pin the dendrites to a pink short-sleeved shirt and hat. Put on your costume...be a neuron!
