The Brain
Now that your phrases are complete and in the proper order, you may construct your
brain. Each person will make her own brain. Three of you will create a model of the
interior view of the brain and show a function each. The functions that will be shown
include memory management, response to the senses, and response to fear. Two of you
will create a model of the exterior view of the brain as well as the spinal column. Note
that the model of the exterior view will be less flat so that we can show the left and right
hemispheres.
To create the exterior view of the brain and the spinal column you need all seven colors
of play-doh.
To create the basic interior view you will need the following materials:
Play–doh (7 colors)
4 jelly beans
1 straw
Lets begin with the exterior view of the brain and the spinal cord.
Step 1: The Lobes of the Brain the Cerebrum and the Brain stem
First create the frontal lobe. Obtain a piece of doh the size of a tennis ball. Shape it
similar to a small fist . Make a thin dent that spans the top surface of the fist. This dent
divides the left from the right brain hemisphere. You will need to include this dent in all
of the lobes that you create except for the temporal lobe. Next create the parietal lobe
with a new color of doh. This piece of doh should be the size of the frontal lobe. But it
should be shaped like a broad arc. Next create the temporal lobe. It should be a little
smaller than the last two lobes. Its not curved at all like the frontal lobe. Its shaped like a
large slice of cake . Next create the occipital lobe which is half the size of the temporal
lobe. Curve it around the back side of the temporal and parietal lobes. Next lets make the
cerebellum. It’s a little smaller than the occipital lobe. Shape it like an oval and lightly
press one side against the occipital and temporal lobes. It should be positioned at the far
back of the brain. Next create the brain stem. Take a piece of doh much smaller than the
cerebrum and roll it between your hands until it becomes a short rod and connect it to the
bottom of the temporal lobe and the front of the cerebrum. All parts created in this step
should be a different color.
Step 2: The Spinal Column
At this point you should have one color left that hasn’t been used in your model. Use this
color for the cervical vertebrae. The piece of doh should be the size of the occipital lobe.
Roll it between your hands to form a rod a little larger and somewhat longer than the
brain stem. Hold the rod in a vertical position and lightly pinch it along the length of the
rod. . For the last three parts of the spinal column use the three colors from the occipital,
parietal, and frontal lobes. This will prevent confusion. Now create the thoracic vertebrae
It should be twice the size of the first part of the spinal column. Make it the same way as
the first part of the spinal column. Once its formed, curve it a little (clockwise) and
connect it to the bottom of the cervical vertebrae. Next create the lumbar vertebrae it
should be the length of the cervical vertebrae but thicker around the middle. It should be
made the same way as the others and connected to the bottom of the thoracic vertebrae.
Now create the sacrum, the last part of the spinal column. Make it smaller than the
cervical vertebrae. Form a short thick rod with a thin tip at one end. Curve it like a
backward C and connect the thick end to the lumbar vertebrae.
Next let’s create the basic model for the interior view of the brain
Before starting this you should understand that when making this model is to look much
like a two dimensional picture. So the top of the an object is that part which is farthest
away from you in the surface plane and the bottom is that part closest to you.
Step1: The Brain surface, Thalamus and Basal ganglia
Create the surface of the brain like you were looking at it from the side with the frontal
lobe at the far left and the occipital lobe at the back. Curt the edges in . Next create the
thalamus. It should be the size of a gumball. Flatten it some but not too much. Now we
will create the basal ganglia, a cluster of cells that hugs the top of the thalamus. Take a
very small piece of doh and flatten it. Fold it around the thalamus so that you can still see
it. The basal ganglia should look like a layer on top of the thalamus. Next create the pons.
Obtain a small piece of doh and shape it like an oval. Place the pons just below the left
corner of the thalamus.
Step 2: The Amygdala, Hippocampus, and Olfactory bulbs, and Hypothalamus
Next, use a jelly bean for the amygdala. Make two really skinny rods from a small piece
of doh and twist them together at one end. Now connect one loose end to the amygdala
and hide the other end on the other side of the pons. Place the amygdala just below the
pons. Now loosely curl the twisted end over and around the thalamus and basal ganglia.
Next obtain another small piece of doh. Shape it like a slender tear drop and mold it to
the open space between the two rods just created. This is your hippocampus. Next acquire
two pieces of doh and roll them into two thin rods and .flatten one end of each rod. Now
lay the rods at the junction of the amygdala and the pons so that the flat part extends to
the left. These are the olfactory bulbs. Now use a jelly bean for the hypothalamus and put
it just above and to the left side of the pons. It should be just above the rods of the
olfactory bulbs as well.
Step 3: The Corpus callosum and Anterior cingulate gyrus
Next make the corpus callosum. Obtain a piece of clay the size of a gumball. Roll it into
a rod and flatten it a little. Now loosely curve it around the rods that curl around the
thalamus. Now obtain a larger piece of clay and roll it into a rod. Flatten it some and
mold it to the tope of the corpus callosum and the amygdala. This is your anterior
cingulate gyrus.
GREAT JOB!!!!!!!