EDUCATION RESOURCES
Visit these Web sites for an array of educational resources about the brain and brain research for scientists, teachers, parents, and students.
FROM THE DANA FOUNDATION
BrainyKids: The Dana Foundation’s collection of links to online science resources for students, teachers, and parents, including games, labs, science fair ideas, brain maps, lesson plans, and more.
Dana Sourcebook of Brain Science: A basic introduction to brain science, its history, our current understanding, new developments, and future directions. The Sourcebook includes classroom activities, a glossary, illustrations of key concepts, Web resources, and an annotated bibliography.
It’s Mindboggling!: Packed with information about the brain in a fun format of games, riddles, and puzzles, this booklet is perfect for middle and high school students. Available in several languages; visit the Publications section for details.
More Mindbogglers!: An addition to It’s Mindboggling!, this new publication is a closer look at learning and memory, the senses, drug addiction, and how the brain and nervous system work…still in a fun format.
Q&A: Answering Your Questions About Brain Research: A pamphlet that provides the answers to commonly asked questions about the brain and its disorders.
Brain Books for Budding Scientists—and All Children: From Dana’s Cerebrum journal, an article surveying the best neuroscience books for children.
Dana Alliance Lending Library: The Lending Library program is a collaboration between the Dana Alliance and selected university neuroscience departments. Brain and neuron models, posters, and related educational materials are provided to the university departments for outreach education in the local community.
Visit the Dana Foundation Web site for more information and additional resources.
FROM OTHER WEB SITES OF INTEREST
Society for Neuroscience (SfN): Visit the SfN’s Web site for these and other resources to assist you in coordinating neuroscience education activities:
SfN's NERVE: SfN's new Web site, NERVE: the Neuroscience Education Resources Virtual Encycloportal, is a gateway to credible information and tools for teaching about the brain and nervous system and related health issues in the K-12 classroom. - SfN's Neuroscience Core Concepts: SfN’s Neuroscience Core Concepts offer fundamental principles that one should know about the brain and nervous system. They are a practical resource about how your brain works and how it is formed; how it guides you through the changes in life; and why it is important to increase understanding of the brain. The Neuroscience Core Concepts have broad application for K-12 teachers and the general public, offering the most important insights gained through decades of brain research.
- SfN’s Neuroscience Resources for the K-12 Classroom CD ROM: A resource collection for use in schools, including movies, curriculum supplements and activity ideas from other sources. Available as a CD ROM or download.
NIH Office of Science Education (US only): The National Institutes of Health offer science and health-related curriculum supplements and educational resources for all grade levels, including a comprehensive section devoted to the brain and nervous system.
Neuroscience for Kids: Created by Eric H. Chudler, Ph.D., of the University of Washington for all students and teachers interested in learning about the nervous system, Neuroscience for Kids includes in-depth information about the brain, spinal cord, neurons, and the senses; experiments, activities and games; articles and books of interest; a free e-newsletter; and much more. Portions of the site are available in several languages.
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS): AAAS is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world. The website includes science news and resources for educators, students, and kids and parents.
Baylor College of Medicine’s Center for Educational Outreach: Featuring “BrainLink” educational materials for grades 4-7, created by educators, scientists, and health specialists at Baylor College of Medicine.
The Brain Museum: Images and information from one of the world's largest collection of brains, from over 175 species. Also included is information on brain evolution, development, and function.
Brains Rule : Resources for students and teachers, including games, quizzes, a “Meet a Brain Whiz” feature, lesson plans, and links to additional resources.
HHMI BioInteractive: Features free resources for science teachers and students from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, including videos, animation, a virtual museum, lectures, virtual labs, and much more.
The Brain from Top to Bottom: This site, from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction, offers in-depth information to students of all levels about such brain-related issues as the senses, memory, pleasure and pain, and mental disorders. Available in English and French.
Cyber Museum of Neurosurgery: An interactive online “museum” charting the history of neurosurgery.
The International Brain Bee Competition: The official site of the International Brain Bee, a live, question and answer competition that tests the neuroscience knowledge of high school students.
Kids Health: A wealth of health-related information and resources for children, including games and experiments, a glossary of medical terms, recipes for healthy foods kids can make, and more. Also featuring a page dedicated to the brain and nervous system. Available in English and Spanish.
Association for Science Education (ASE), UK: The ASE is the UK’s professional association for teachers of science. Resources on the site include PDFs of science journals and other materials.
The Wellcome Trust (UK): The Wellcome Trust is a charity that funds innovative biomedical research in the UK and internationally. The site includes information on projects the Trust has supported as well as resources to help promote contemporary science in the curriculum.
The Royal Institution of Great Britain: The Royal Institution is an independent charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. A number of teacher resources are available through the site, including educational games and resources on anatomy, DNA, biodiversity, and more.
The listing of an organization’s Web site does not imply endorsement by the Dana Foundation, the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, or the European Dana Alliance for the Brain.
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