BRAIN Bringing

Neuroscience
STEM to the Classroom

TOPIC 2

Brain Anatomy &

Function
Supported by:

For more resources visit zuckermaninstitute.columbia.edu

Brain Anatomy & Function
The brain is the body's control center, sending and receiving
information to and from the body and the external world. Students will
gain an overview of the brain’s organization and the functional role of
different structures and regions.

 Suggested Duration Advanced students will…

§§ 3 x 45 min classes §§ Be able to distinguish cortical and subcortical

brain regions.
 Essential Questions
Materials
§§ What are the functions of different brain
§§ Range of arts and crafts materials (e.g. air-dry
regions?
clay, pom poms, textiles, string, paint)
§§ How do different brain regions work together?
§§ Post-its

Objectives §§ Blank paper

Overall STEM goal: Different parts of the brain §§ Empty water bottle
can have different functions. §§ Sheep brains (purchase brains from www.
carolina.com in ‘Carolina Perfect Solution')
All students will…
§§ Disposable gloves
§§ Gain an overview of the gross anatomy of the
human brain, identifying the functions of the §§ Scalpel
four lobes. §§ Dissection trays (tip: you can use lids of
§§ Understand that the brain works together as photocopy paper packs or baby pads instead)
a whole, but different brain regions can have §§ Optional: camera or phone for photographing
different functions. dissections
§§ Design and create a model of the brain. Supplementary materials
§§ Conduct a brain dissection and identify key §§ Topic 2 slides: Brain Anatomy & Function
anatomical structures.
§§ Topic 2 exit ticket: Brain Anatomy

Brain Anatomy & Function | 1

Instructional Activities Discuss their thoughts with the class and ask
students to take notes:
Class 1 §§ Different areas of the brain are specialized for
different functions, allowing us to multi-task e.g.
1. Do Now |  5min talk to a friend while we are getting dressed.
§§ The brain takes in information from the body and
 Use Topic 2 slides (part 1)
outside world, and produces outputs or responses
Project to the class the 3D human brain model from such as movements, emotions, and thoughts. It
Brain Facts (slide 3), provide an overview of the brain’s controls our body, such as the functioning of our
anatomy. Explain to students that they will look at the organs, our breathing, digestion, etc.
brain map to guide them into the different locations §§ (Slide 4) The brain is divided into two hemispheres
of different functions around the brain, the same way that are highly connected.
explorers use maps to find their way around land or
§§ (Slide 5) The brain is divided into four major lobes
sea. Ask students to note down what they observe
located in the cerebrum of the brain.
about the anatomy of the brain and follow with a share
out of observations as a class.
BACKGROUND

Frontal lobe: Responsible for thinking, planning,

Discussion point and demo: problem solving, some aspects of personality,
the production of speech, as well as movement.
Prompt students to reflect on the reasons why the
brain has bumps and folds. Discuss how it allows the Parietal lobe: Responsible for integrating
brain to fit inside the skull by increasing the brain's information coming from different senses (e.g.
surface area. taste, vision and smell when you are eating). It
also specializes in processing the sensation of
You can help students visualize the concept of touch.
surface area through a quick hands-on activity. Ask
two volunteers to come up and demonstrate to the Occipital lobe: Processes visual information (e.g.
class how they would fit a flat sheet of letter size recognizing colors and shapes)
paper into a water bottle. Students will have to fold or
Temporal lobe: Responsible for interpreting
crumple the paper to get it to fit in the bottle. Explain
auditory information, for our ability to use and
to students that this is the same thing that happened
recognize language, for memory and emotion.
to the brain: it had to form these folds in order to fit
into the skull made of hard bone

3. Group Work |  20min

2. Direct Instruction |  10min
Divide the class into four groups and assign one of
 Use Topic 2 slides (part 1) the four brain lobes to each group. Depending on the
class size, you can subdivide each group further into
Prompt students to think about: What is the role of
smaller groups of 3-5 students.
the brain?

Brain Anatomy & Function | 2

Each group will conduct research about the assigned
brain lobe, thinking about the primary functions of Next class:
this brain area. Instruct students to: In preparation for next class, introduce students to
§§ Write a short paragraph to share with the class, the upcoming activities. Explain that after the Brain
summarizing their findings. In their summary, they Trivia they will be working in groups to create human
should explain the location of the lobe, and the brain models with diverse arts and crafts materials.
main functions associated with this brain lobe. Ask students to start thinking about what materials
§§ Prepare 4 questions with short answers to include they can use to create their brain models and to
in the class Brain Trivia that will be played at the bring some materials from home, including recycled
start of the next class. The Brain Trivia will be materials, old textiles, etc.
composed of 4 questions about each brain lobe,
including a total of 16 questions in a random order.
Class 2
Differentiation 5. Class Trivia |  15min
§§ Select the groups, mixing more advanced students
with less advanced students.  Use Topic 2 slides (part 2)
§§ Students can do the research themselves, if Divide students back up into their groups from last
you give them access to a computer, or you can class. Explain to students the rules of the Brain Trivia
provide resources from the student resources and then present the slides:
section below.
§§ There are a total of 16 questions but each group
will only answer 12. Groups are not allowed to
4. The Lobes |  10min answer their own questions.
§§ The question is presented and each group has 1
 Use Topic 2 slides (part 1 and 2) minute to write down their answer.
At the end of class, ask one or two members of each §§ The teacher collects the answers and each group
group to come up to the front of the class and share will get 1 point for each correct answer.
their findings summary with the class, introducing §§ Teacher will be keeping the group scores and the
students to the functions and location of each brain group with the higher number of points at the end
lobe. Share slide 6 from 'Topic 2 slides (part 1)' with of the trivia is the winner.
the class.

Collect the 4 questions and answers from each group

6. Direct Instruction |  10min
and collate them into slides (refer to slides 13-17 for
a template) to use to play the game at the start of
 Use Topic 2 slides (part 1)

the next class. Ensure to mix up the questions in a Guide the class through slides 7-10, introducing
random order. students to other key structures in the human brain,
including some subcortical structures.

Brain Anatomy & Function | 3

 a model with interior and subcortical structures
BACKGROUND (e.g. a sagittal view of the brain). Their model should
Cerebellum: located at the back of the brain and include the corpus callosum, thalamus, brainstem and
involved in almost all things that the brain does. cerebellum. Share with students some activity details:
Responsible for coordinating our movements §§ The model does not have to be real size but
or helping us learn new motor skills (e.g. how to students should ensure to make the different areas
use a pencil to write). proportional to each other.

Brain stem: Upper areas are involved in basic §§ Students should use different colors for the
functions such as sleep, respiration, heart rate, different structures for differentiation.
blood pressure. Lower areas connect to spinal §§ Students should label each structure in their model
cord and bring in most information from the (e.g. using toothpicks with flags).
body and also send messages to it (e.g. motor
commands) Provide students with some brain anatomy tools:
Hippocampus: Involved in forming and §§ 3D Tool for exploring the brain:
retrieving memories, as well as spatial §§ Brain anatomy interactive
navigation and memory.

Amygdala: Responsible for our emotions and Give students time to work on their models after class
combining memories with emotions. (or during another class if needed).

Thalamus: Relays and sorts information that

arrives from our senses e.g. information EXTENSION/ALTERNATIVE
received in our eyes is sent to the thalamus and §§ Students choose a brain region and answer
then onto other brain regions so that we can the following question: What is the brain for
make sense of what we are seeing. me? Why is it important? Why is studying the
brain important? Students create an art piece
inspired on their answers to these questions.
Art pieces can be made in any art form e.g.
7. Creating Human Brain Models |
painting, drawing, writing, dance, music, etc.
 20min Examples of brain art to share with students
In groups of 4-6 (depending on class size), students are available on 'Topic 2 slides 18-20 (part 3)'.
collaborate on creating models of the human brain §§ Organize a gallery walk: Have students
using diverse arts and crafts, or recycled materials display their models around the classroom
(slide 11). You can be creative here, providing and give the class time to walk around and
students with diverse arts and crafts materials, or observe each others’ models. Distribute
having them have total freedom to select their own. post-its and instruct students to add one
comment and/or question to each model.
Within each group, students divide themselves in two
subgroups. One subgroup creates an exterior view §§ Role-playing: Groups create a presentation in
of the brain that differentiates between the following which students role-play teaching (or actually
different brain areas: the four lobes, the cerebellum teach if this is possible in your school) a short
and the spinal cord. The second subgroup will create

Brain Anatomy & Function | 4

 Go through the dissection step-by-step instructions
class on brain anatomy to younger students on slides 29-30 as a class, ensuring students
(e.g. middle school). Their lesson should be a understand the safety instructions, the materials
simplified version of what they learned about they will use, the procedure to follow and what brain
brain anatomy and function, making it fun and structures to look for.
engaging for younger students.
Ensure all students are comfortable with participating
in the dissection and using the equipment. For
Class 3 students who do not want to participate in the
8. Comparing Animal Brains | dissection, you can allow them to just observe other
students and/ or provide them with the following
 10min
resources:
 Use Topic 2 slides (part 4)
§§ Virtual dissection online tools:
Show students slide 23, asking them to guess what
§§ Exploratorium
brain belongs to what animal. Then reveal the answers
in slide 24, explaining how different animals have §§ Biology Corner
different brain structures. Prompt students to think §§ Dissection video (refer to Student Resources page)
why different animals have different brain structures.
Once the class is ready, instruct students to:
Discuss how the structure of the brain is related
§§ Collaborate on dissecting the sheep brains as per
to its function and how different areas of the brain
instructions.
have different sizes in different animals, depending
§§ Identifying key regions and structures.
on what the needs of each animal. One example is
the olfactory bulb in mice and rats that is huge, in §§ Write a dissection log as a group: a record of the
porportion to the size of their brains This is because step by step process of their dissections. Students
they use smell alot to feed and survive. Other can document their dissection logs with labelled
examples are some species of birds, who have areas diagrams, drawings and/or photographs.
of the brain specifically dedicated to learning songs.
Differentiation
9. Brain Dissections |  25min
Use the available slides (32-36) with information on
 Use Topic 2 slides (part 4)
what structures to identify or you can guide students
Continue through slides 26-28, prompting students through the cuts and allow them to identify the
to observe the differences between the animal brains structures themselves.
and the human brain. Explain to students that they
will be dissecting sheeps brain today, and ask them At the end, discuss the dissection with the whole
to observe and discuss the differences between the group class. Prompt students to discuss and take
human and the sheep brain. notes on:

Then, divide the class into groups of 4-6 students §§ What did they learn about the brain’s anatomy?
(depending on class size and available brains) and §§ What structures were easiest and hardest to
distribute the dissection materials. identify?

Brain Anatomy & Function | 5

§§ Did they note any further differences between the
sheep brain and the human brain?

10. Exit Ticket |  5min

 Use 'Topic 2 exit ticket'
Give each student an exit ticket handout. Ask
students to label the relevant parts of the human
brain illustrations and to write at least one question
they still have about the brain's anatomy and function.

EXTENSION/ASSESSMENT
§§ After students put together their group
dissection logs, you can work as a class to
put together a combined class log.
§§ Ask students to develop graphic organizers
or slide presentations with their dissection
logs (individually or in groups) and labelled
diagrams.
§§ Ask students to compare the sheep brain
dissections with the models they made in
lesson 2 and take notes of similarities and
differences.

Brain Anatomy & Function | 6

Resources for Students

FIRST Koshland Science https://www.koshland-science-museum.org/explore-the-

LEVEL Museum: Brain anatomy science/interactives/brain-anatomy
tool

Eyewire: Explore the https://science.eyewire.org/

brain

Sheep brain dissection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7gEWzPqm94

(videos)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3v9cdD6Sqo

Zooming in on the brain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj3RxtJ_Ljc

(video):

MEDIUM Brainfacts.org: Brain https://www.brainfacts.org/3d-brain#intro=true

LEVEL anatomy tool

BioEd Online (video) http://www.bioedonline.org/videos/lecture-series/your-brain-

is-you/meet-your-brain/

Exploratorium: Sheep http://www.exploratorium.edu/memory/braindissection/3.html

brain dissections

Biology corner: Sheep https://www.biologycorner.com/anatomy/sheepbrain/sheep_

brain dissection dissection.html

ADVANCED Brain Facts Book: https://www.brainfacts.org/the-brain-facts-book)

LEVEL Chapter 1

Brain Anatomy & Function | 7

Resources for Educators

Background Reading

Brain Facts Book (Chapter 1) https://www.brainfacts.org/the-brain-facts-book

Big Picture Education: Inside the https://bigpictureeducation.com/sites/default/files/bp_files/

Brain (2013). Page 10-11 inside%20the%20brain/wts040941~3.pdf

Educational Activities

Skype a Scientist https://www.skypeascientist.com/

Exploratorium: Sheep brain https://www.mindmeister.com/blog/teach-mind-mapping/

dissections

Dissection videos http://www.exploratorium.edu/memory/braindissection/3.html

Brain Anatomy & Function | 8

Vocabulary

Amygdala A structure in the forebrain that is an important component of the limbic

system and plays a central role in emotional learning, particularly within
the context of fear.

Brain Stem The major route by which the forebrain sends information to and receives
information from the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. The brainstem
includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla, and it controls, among other
things, respiration and the regulation of heart rhythms.

Cerebellum The largest part of the human brain associated with higher order
functioning, such as thinking, perceiving, planning, and understanding
language, as well as the control of voluntary behavior.

Corpus Callosum The large bundle of nerve fibers linking the left and right cerebral
hemispheres.

Frontal Lobe One of the four subdivisions of the cerebral cortex. The frontal lobe has
a role in controlling movement and in the planning and coordinating of
behavior.

Hippocampus A seahorse-shaped structure located within the brain and considered an

important part of the limbic system. One of the most studied areas of the
brain, it is involved in learning, memory, and emotion..

Occipital lobe One of the four subdivisions of the cerebral cortex. The occipital lobe
plays a role in processing visual information.

Parietal lobe One of the four subdivisions of the cerebral cortex. The parietal lobe plays
a role in sensory processes, attention, and language.

Temporal lobe One of the four major subdivisions of each hemisphere of the cerebral
cortex. The temporal lobe functions in auditory perception, speech, and
complex visual perceptions.

Brain Anatomy & Function | 9

Vocabulary

Thalamus A structure consisting of two egg-shaped masses of nerve tissue, each

about the size of a walnut, deep within the brain. The key relay station
for sensory information flowing into the brain, the thalamus filters out
information of particular importance from the mass of signals entering the
brain.

Brain Anatomy & Function | 10

Standards

CONTENT SPECIFIC CURRICULUM Developing and Using Models

STANDARDS
Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE Life Sciences:

STANDARDS (NGSS)
HS-LS1-2: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and
Processes

Crosscutting concepts:

HS-LS1-1

HS-LS1-3

HS-LS1-4

COMMON CORE STATE CCSS.ELA-LITERACY: RST.9-10.3

STANDARDS
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY: RST.9-10.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY: RST.11-12.7

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY: RST. 11-12.9

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY: SL.9-10.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY: SL.9.-10.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY: SL.11-12.1

Brain Anatomy & Function | 11

Credits and Sources

BioEdOnline

BrainFacts.org

Brain Facts Glossary: https://www.brainfacts.org/glossary

Brain Anatomy Interactive, Koshland Science Museum: https://www.koshland-science-museum.

org/explore-the-science/interactives/brain-anatomy

Carolina: www.carolina.com

Exploratorium: https://www.exploratorium.edu/

EyeWire

National Institutes of Health / National Institute of Neurological Disorders and stroke: https://
www.education.ninds.nih.gov/

Acknowledgements

Francesca Anselmi Teacher Council §§ Vanessa Keen

2018: §§ Bonnie Lestz
Alice Cardoso
§§ William Bertolotti §§ Arlene Ramos
Paula Croxson
§§ Jennifer §§ Deborah Reich
Dahlstrom
§§ Charon Sioson
§§ Vince Joralemon

Brain Anatomy & Function | 12