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Brain Science

The brain is main organ of the nervous system. This topic covers parts of the brain, its development, function, learning styles, brain food, neuroscience, research studies and the importance of rest and exercise for mental health. SCIS no: 1842269

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Burlesque brain

Burlesque brain

A large model used to demonstrate the skull and meninges protecting the brain. Useful in big lecture theatres for first year anatomy teaching and for public demonstrations. The materials used are t...

Rugby international to donate his brain to science

Rugby international to donate his brain to science

The former Scottish rugby international, John Beattie, says he's so concerned about head injuries in the game that he will donate his brain to science when he dies.

Understanding brain development

We all have a genetic blueprint for development, but we know there are other factors that influence our development.

A 1936 newspaper article about brain waves.

Brain implant hailed as breakthrough

A new brain implant that can sense an intent to move a robotic arm is being hailed as a breakthrough for people like 34-year-old Californian Erik Sorto.

Functional MRI – looking at the brain over time

Dr Richard Watts from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Canterbury talks about functional MRI, which looks at how the brain responds over time as patients carry out tasks...

Berry good news for the brain

Berry good news for the brain

How New Zealand blackcurrants can support brain health.

Brain amputation

Newspaper article about a soldier's 'brain amputation'.

Biggest brain in the world

Biggest brain in the world

A cartoon about our brain.

Brainstem ventral surface

Brainstem ventral surface

Lower left (l.l.) in pencil: Brain Stem (Ventral Surface)

Inside my head

Cartoon referring to the brain.

Assessing thinking

Assessing thinking

Practical ways to notice students' thinking.

Brain fitness

How to improve your brain with professor Richard Faull.

Kids 'aren't developing problem-solving skills'

Ability grouping - seating children together based on their academic ability - is being blamed for NZ's poor performance in a global maths test.

Brain weight and intellect

The relationship between brain weight and intellect.

Binge-drinking places Kiwis at risk of brain damage

Binge-drinking places Kiwis at risk of brain damage

Cartoon refers to how the brain is affected by binge drinking.

Apples as brain food

Newspaper article about the benefits of apples for the brain.

Slow thinking

The benefits of letting the cogs of your brain move slowly.

Fiji academic says tech affects critical thinking

An academic says the ability to think critically has declined in the region and advances in technology may be to blame.

Why multitasking is bad for you

A neuroscientist says multi-tasking is one of the most damaging 'illusions' of the internet age.

The brain and the stomach

Newspaper article about the relationship between the brain and the stomach.

Working with the brain

Working with the brain

University of Auckland neuroscientist Melanie Cheung explains how she consulted with her iwi before starting work on brain tissue

The power of daydreaming

The power of daydreaming

Daydreaming, doodling and napping increase your creativity and productivity.

Brain cells in 3D

Three-dimensional computer models of brain cells.

Exercise and the brain

Exercise is good for your brain as well as your body.

Brain

Brain shaped brooch.

There ya go... overuse of a Blackberry!

There ya go... overuse of a Blackberry!

Cartoon about cell phones and their impact on the brain.

AUT to help brain injury patients

AUT to help brain injury patients

A New Zealand university will play a role in an international effort to create better treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients.

Brain food

This protein is thought to be important for brain health.

How’s your memory?

In this activity, students memorise a number of items from the star compass as wayfinding navigators would have to do. This experience may help students understand how and why wayfinders use the st...

60 percent of dementia sufferers undiagnosed

60 percent of dementia sufferers undiagnosed

A new report released to coincide with World Alzheimers Day today says over 26,000 Kiwis may have undiagnosed dementia.

Sleep

Sleep is very important for your brain because it gives your body time to grow and repair itself. It also gives your brain a chance to sort through everything you have experienced and learned that ...

Learning styles

Learning styles

Every student is unique. In a classroom, you will find students from various backgrounds who have their own talents, skills, interests and even learning styles. The VARK model is one of the most co...

Smoking cigarettes

Smoking cigarettes

The effects of smoking are highly dangerous and can harm almost all of the body's organs, including the brain. The nicotine in a cigarette is addictive. In fact, it is just as addictive as heroin. ...

The brain

In this image, we see a portion of the human brain. The brain is like a powerful computer. It stores information, sorts what you see, hear and feel, makes decisions and sends out signals to control...

Food value of the walnut

Food value of the walnut

As this newspaper article explains, walnuts have a number of health benefits. They are so delicious and nutritious that they were once considered food only for the Gods. Walnuts are particularly go...

Why do optical illusions work? How your brain is wired

Explains what goes on inside your brain when you look at Adelson's checker shadow illusion.

How to make your classroom a thinking space

Article about making your classroom a thinking space.

Reveals new insights discovered by neuroscientists into the workings of the mind.

Brain Awareness Week

Article about Brain Awareness Week.

Areas of the brain

A tour of the brain through a series of short and sharp animations.

15 illusions that will test your brain.

How do we learn?

Provides descriptions of different learning styles.

Learning styles

Article about Neil Fleming’s VARK model of Student Learning.

Learning styles questionnaire

A questionnaire to help children determine their learning style.

Critical thinking in the primary classroom

Video for teachers about how to incorporate critical thinking into the primary age classroom.

Brain science in the classroom

Discusses recent advances in neuroscience which help to explain how the human brain learns.

Your brain and nervous system

Information on how the brain works for thinking and learning.

Learn about your brain with this fun song.

What is critical thinking?

Video that explains critical thinking.

A gallery of images related to brain science.

Brainways - De Bono’s 6 thinking hats

Describes each of the Edward De Bono's 6 ‘Thinking Hats

Thinking skills & learning styles

A gallery of images related to thinking skills and learning styles.

Provides information on memory, learning, and general brain function.

How to learn major parts of the brain quickly

Learn how the brain works in 5 minutes using only your hands.

How to increase higher order thinking

Strategies to help foster children's complex thinking.

How the human brain works

An animated tour around the human brain.

Boost your IQ: try our mini-quiz

We've put together ten IQ test questions.

New project maps the wiring of the mind

Project to trace all the brain's main neural pathways begins its first human imaging.

What is IQ — and how much does it matter?

IQ, short for intelligence quotient, is a measure of a person’s reasoning ability.

A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bang on the head or shaking.

Secrets of the teenage brain

The teenage brain has only recently become a subject for serious research.

What it’s like to be awake during brain surgery.

IQ Test: 10 Questions

Left vs right brain

This infographic is of brain preference and learning styles.

How do optical illusions work?

Explains what goes on inside your brain when you look at optical illusions.