BrainSTEM brings neuroscience to your classroom with our online and downloadable resources.
BrainSTEM lesson plans and activities are inspired by the latest neuroscience research. Each lesson covers a different exciting area of neuroscience: from the basics of how the brain works to groundbreaking research advances based on real lectures from Columbia University researchers. All of our lessons are created by teachers, for teachers, and have been vetted for scientific accuracy by neuroscientists. These materials are hands-on, enquiry-driven and designed to be adapted for your classroom.
You can browse and download our current lessons below.
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These materials were created in partnership with the Teacher-Scholar program, a professional development program for teachers in New York City and the Teacher Council, a group of high school science teachers who worked with the Zuckerman Institute Education and Outreach team to shape, vet and test this curriculum.
BrainSTEM is made possible with generous support from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and BNY Mellon.
What is the role of the brain and nervous system?
What are the functions of different brain regions?
What do neurons look like and how do they work?
How does the brain change as we learn and experience new things?
What is the relationship between brain activity and food choices?
How can DNA sequences inform medicine?
How do scientists use model organisms to learn about human behaviors and disease?
How can different brain structures be affected by stroke?
In what ways do genes and environment affect song learning in finches?
How can awareness of anxiety impact performance?
What is the relationship between sleep and social justice?