Brain Gains Board Game

In this game, students will learn about the positive and negative effects that decisions can have on their brain. How does riding a bike or playing an instrument help your brain? In what ways do drugs or a concussion hurt your brain?

Download the Set-Up pages and the Game Board to learn more about the exciting Brain Gains board game.

 Designed by Emily Speakman

Synopsis

It’s a race down the axon! Students will learn how different behaviors shape the brain as they compete to be the first player to reach the axon terminal.

Objective

At the end of this activity students will:

• Be able to list activities and choices that lead to a healthy brain
• Better understand how certain activities and choices negatively affect the brain 

Teacher Background

The purpose of the Brain Gains board game is to help students understand how the choices they make affect their brain. For example, players will learn that high-fat diets and lack of sleep can negatively affect a person’s memory, while regular exercise improves cognition.

No prior knowledge is needed to play this game. Players will follow along with the “Rules of the Road” to learn more about:

• Diet
• Exercise
• Drug and alcohol use
• Sleep
• Traumatic brain injury
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Language
• Memory
• Neuron anatomy 

Integration into the Curriculum

• Health
• Biology, AP Biology
• Anatomy and Physiology   

Materials Needed

• Printed copy of the board game
• Brain Gains Game Board

Download (PDF file, 1,324KB)

• Small objects for players to use as game pieces
• Printed copy of the “Rules of the Road” Brain Gains Set-up and Rules

Download (PDF file, 58KB)

• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• 1 six-sided die

About the Author

Emma Lindberg

Emma is the former Outreach Associate at the Society for Neuroscience. She helped find and create Educator Resources for BrainFacts.org, as well as promote the site at conferences and events across the country.