Wired To Win

Kids (age specified)

BOOKS

Brynie, Faith Hickman. The Physical Brain. Blackbirch, 2001. An introduction to the basics of brain anatomy and function in a presentation that is clearly written, well organized, and interesting. Full-page sidebars highlight topics such as Einstein’s brain, MRI and PET technology, and brain chemistry associated with feeling “in love.” (AGES 11-14.)
Cassidy, John, and the Exploratorium. Explorabook: A Kid’s Science Museum in a Book. Klutz, San Francisco, 1992. Includes intriguing activities that demonstrate and explain optical illusions. (AGES 8 AND UP)
Cobb, Vicki. How to Really Fool Yourself: Illusions For All Your Senses. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1999. Dozens of do-it-yourself activities reveal how your five senses can fool you. Cobb provides explanations of the science and history behind each. (AGES 8 AND UP)
Cole, JoAnna and Bruce Deagin. The Magic School Bus: Explores The Senses. Scholastic Paperbacks, New York,  2001. The kids in Ms. Frizzle's class learn about sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch, and much more on their latest adventure. (AGES 6-9)
Cromwell, Sharon. Why Do I Laugh or Cry? And Other Questions About the Nervous System. Rigby Interactive Library/Reed Educational & Professional Publishing, 1998. This book from the Body Wise series poses nine questions, answering each one on a two-page spread. (AGES 7-9)
Fleischman, John. Phineas Gage: A Gruesome But True Story About Brain Science. Houghton Mifflin, New York, 2002. John Fleischman weaves the history of brain science into the fascinating story of Phineas Gage—a man who lived with a hole in his head. (AGES 9-12)
LeVert, Suzanne. The Brain. Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, 2002. A good starting place for middle-grade students who want to understand the structure and function of the nervous system and, specifically, the brain. The book contains clear, brief discussions and colorful illustrations, backed up by a glossary of terms that may be new to young readers. (AGES 8-10)
Rowan, Peter. Big Head! A Book About Your Brain and Head. Knopf/Random House, New York, 1998. Written by a family doctor, this book features a well-written, authoritative text. The upbeat text and attractive layout make this an approachable and informative introduction to the brain and the head. (AGES 9-13)
Simon, Seymour. The Brain: Our Nervous System. Morrow, 1997. In this visually dynamic book from Simon’s series on the human body, down-to-earth writing is enhanced by many vivid images. The often intense colors are heightened by the use of black backgrounds in many of the illustrations. (AGES 8-12)
Society for Neuroscience. Brain Facts: A Primer on the Brain and Nervous System. Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, 2005. (Download a free copy at http://web.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainFacts/index.html). A primer on the brain and nervous system, published by the Society for Neuroscience. In addition to serving as a starting point for a lay audience interested in neuroscience, the book is used at the annual Brain Bee, which is held in conjunction with Brain Awareness Week. (AGES 14-18)
Strauch, Barbara. Primal Teen: What the New Discoveries About the Teenage Brain Tell Us About Our Kids. Doubleday, New York, 2003. For years scientists believed human brain development was over by the first three years of life. Now they are starting to look beyond hormones to explain teenage behavior and they’re finding clues in an unexpected place: the teenage brain. (AGES 14-18)

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WEB SITES

British Broadcasting Corporation. Science & Nature: Human Body & Mind
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/index.shtml?brain
This BBC site contains lots of interactive games and activities for students on topics including organs, muscles, the skeleton and the nervous system. The site also includes a series of psychology tests. (AGES 12-18)
National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA). Neurolab
http://neurolab.jsc.nasa.gov/timeline.htm
A timeline takes you through almost 400 years of neuroscience. (AGES 10-18)
Public Broadcasting Service. The Secret Life of the Brain
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/.
Copies of videos and CDs as well as downloadable teacher and student guides are available on the Web site. (AGES 14-18)
Public Broadcasting Service. The Teenage Brain
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/
Science tackles the mystery of the teen brain. Interviews describe recent neuroscience research. (AGES 14-18)
University of Minnesota's Department of Neuroscience and the Science Museum of Minnesota
http://www.brainu.org/cool.htm
An interactive site with lots of information about your brain. (AGES 11-14)
University of Washington. Neuroscience for Kids
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html
The definitive brain science Web site for everyone who wants to learn more, Neuroscience for Kids is a combination of a sophisticated neuroscience text, a compendium of experiments and lesson plans, and a gateway to other sources of information about the brain and nervous system. A subscription to a neuroscience newsletter for kids is also available. (AGES 8-18)
University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Texas Public Health Science Center at Houston
http://www.brainsrule.com/
Brains Rule! is designed to improve neuroscience literacy among children and the general public. Created by neuroscience professionals, the site transfers knowledge and enthusiasm about neuroscience through fun, engaging hands-on activities. (AGES 8-18)

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DVDS AND VIDEOS

Public Broadcasting Service. The Secret Life of the Brain. A startling new map of the human brain has emerged during the past decade of neuroscience research, contradicting much of what was previously believed. This series tells stories through a mix of personal histories, expert commentary, and cutting-edge animation. Available on DVD and video at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/shop.html (AGES 14-18)
Public Broadcasting Service. Inside the Teenage Brain. It's the mystery of mysteries — especially to parents. Now the experts are exploring the recesses of the brain and finding explanations for why adolescents behave the way they do and how new discoveries can change the way we teach, or perhaps even understand, our teenagers. Available on DVD and video at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/view/ (AGES 14-18)


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