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When you think about moving, what comes to mind? Most of us think about using our muscles. But what tells your muscles to move? Your brain! Join Dr. Catherine Franssen, resident scientist at the Science Museum of Virginia, as we investigate how your brain senses the outside world and helps you walk, run, swim and toss a ball. Movement can even make your brain think better! Along the way, we will explore the different areas of your brain and create a model brain out of dough. Developed for students in grades 4-7.
Produced by VPM in partnership with the Science Museum of Virginia.
About the Science Museum of Virginia
Through experiential exhibits, awesome artifacts, interactive technologies, innovative programs, dynamic films, impressive live animals and interesting lab demos, the Science Museum of Virginia inspires hundreds of thousands of guests each year to enrich their lives through science. The Museum is a catalyst for inspiration, a place that sparks curiosity, encourages discovery and generates ideas in science, technology, engineering and math.
The Museum features permanent hands-on exhibits about wellness, innovation and speed—to name a few—and hosts touring exhibitions from around the world. At 76 feet, The Dome theater is the largest screen in Virginia and provides guests with the ultimate "you are there" experience. The Museum also hosts hundreds of special events throughout the year, such as overnight adventures, talks and summer camps.
For more information:
Teachers
- For more resources and lessons for learning about the brain, visit the Dana Foundation’s activities for Brain Awareness Week.
- For a variety of activities and lesson plans on neuroscience-related topics for kids visit Neuroscience for Kids.
- Watch the full video and find more great science content from Dr. Jeff Vinokur at Generation Genius.
- Learn more about specific neuroscience topics and facts in bite-sized chunks with freely available 2-minute neuroscience videos atNeuroscientifically Challenged.com.
Families
- Science is all around us and discoveries are limitless. Let us inspire you with engaging live science programs and hands-on activities you can do at home that will make you question your world! Content for Curious Minds
- Neuroscience discoveries affect everything from health innovations to fun animal facts to new ideas that may change how we interact with society. Learn more about neuroscience for all ages at BrainFacts.org.
Virginia Standards of Learning
Science grades 4-7. VA SOLs: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 6.1
4.2 The student will investigate and understand that plants and animals have structures that distinguish them from one another and play vital roles in their ability to survive.
4.3 The student will investigate and understand that organisms, including humans, interact with one another and with the nonliving components in the ecosystem.
