As part of our workshop, we conducted the following engaging activities to help students explore different aspects of brain function.
Interactive Presentations
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Introduction to the brain, including the control of the five senses, neurons, parts of the brain, and their involvement in mind-body synchronization, blood-brain barrier, etc.
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Impact of food on their brain via the gut-brain axis and made aware of being considerate by inculcating probiotics and performing physical activities/fitness and brain-challenging tasks which can impact neuroplasticity.
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Stigma surrounding brain health for eradicating misconceptions
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Relevant usage of AI technologies and controlled usage for digital well-being.
Other Activities
1. Assembling brain caps
Students were given color printouts of the left and right sides of the brain, which they assembled to make a 3D brain cap. This activity provided a hands-on way for students to learn about the different regions of the brain.
2. Scuttle table
The Schulte Table activity aimed to enhance students' attention, concentration, and visual processing speed. Schulte Table consisted of a grid filled with randomly arranged numbers, and students were asked to locate and identify them in an increasing order within 30 seconds.
3. Stroop Challenge
This activity is used to test cognitive flexibility and attention control. In this exercise, students were presented with words naming different colors, but the text itself was filled with a different color (the word "Blue" written in red). Their task was to quickly name the color of the text rather than reading the word itself.
4. Supertaster activity
This activity allowed students to explore the connection between genetics, sensory perception, and brain processing. Participants were given four different taste strips commonly used to identify supertasters. Each strip contained a specific compound, and students had to describe whether they tasted bitterness, sweetness, saltiness, or nothing.
5. Physical activity
We also engaged students in interactive physical activities to demonstrate the connection between movement and brain function. This activity highlighted how engaging in such exercises can help keep the brain active, improve neuroplasticity, and enhance overall cognitive function.
