Animal Brains FLEX

Each week we will learn about a different animal. We will look at the structures in that animals brains, and learn some cool facts about how that animal's brain works. We will discuss some of the brain's structures and functions. Students will get an assignment each class for them to complete. Students will have a discussion question to answer each week and will interact with other students in the classroom.

Week 1: Elephant brains: Learn why size isn't everything. Elephants have the biggest brain of all land mammals, so why aren't they building their own houses? Learn about brain to body ratio, why it matters, and why bigger brains do not always mean smarter animals.

Week 2: Woodpecker brains: Did you know your brain has a cushion? Not a pillow like on your bed, but a cushion of fluid that protects it from banging up against your skull! Learn how woodpecker brains protect themselves from all of that pecking.

Week 3: Crocodile brains: Travel back in time to get and idea of what brains looked like before humans were around. Scientists used to think that reptiles were missing part of the brain that mammals have, learn why that is not quite correct while we compare the parts of a crocodile brain and a human brain.

Week 4: Octopus brains: If we could travel to another planet and catch an alien, what would its brain look like? We may never know, but if we look at the brain of an octopus we will feel like we are coming close. Did you know that Octopus have BRAINS IN THEIR LEGS? Learn how the Octopus's unique system lets it thrive in it's watery home.