Neuroscience for Kids Projects

Neurons

• For younger kids, one fun project can be to make a neuron. The children can use nearly anything for this project, but play dough will work well. To start, have at least three to four different colors. Use one color to represent the axon, which should be an elongated cylindrical object. The axon should contain an end known as the “presynaptic terminal” which is involved in neuron transmission. On the opposite side, create a dendrite, with a nucleus in the middle. Dendrites branch off in many directions, looking like an octopus with its tentacles spread out; they also playing a function in neuron transmission.
  
  

Processing

• Although vision and hearing may seem like distinctly separate functions, in the brain, there is much overlap when processing the two. You can make a project to show information processing. To show the connection, create two shapes of roughly the same size. One shape should form only sharp and jagged edges, while the other one needs to have only rounded edges. Show the two objects to a classroom and ask them to vote on whether each one is a “bouba” or a “kiki.” Without knowing the answer previously, the majority of the group will answer the question correctly because the sound matches the appearance – with the bouba being the rounded shape and the kiki being the jagged shape.
  
  

Cognition

• Colors make a difference upon visual perception. Ridley Stroop performed an experiment, “Stroop Effect,” showing visual perception and the brain’s cognitive ability. To create the project, make a board filled with different words representing colors. Each word should feature a color different from what the word states. For example, “blue” should be any color other than blue. The person’s responsibility is to say the word’s actual color, as opposed to what the word reads.
  
  

Information Transfer

• To show the fundamentals of an action potential, which is the method by which neurons are triggered to exchange, place participants into two separate groups – one group representing neurotransmitters and the other group representing enzymes. Two zones should also be designated – one being the axon and the other being the dendrite. The goal of the neurotransmitters is to get to the dendrite (safe zone) without being tagged by an enzyme.