Practical Science

Amber Stroh

Teacher - VCE Psychology

Our Year 11 VCE Psychology students are currently tasked with exploring brain structure and function.

To assist with their investigations, students made 'brain specialisation area' hats. These hats map the different areas of the brain which are primarily responsible for different functions.

For more hands-on approach, teams undertook the dissection of a lamb's brain, as the lamb's brain closely represents the structure of the human brain.

Students drew diagrams of their dissection and attempted to find association areas such as  the motor cortex. They also identified the cerebellum located at the back of the brain which plays a vital role in coordinating voluntary movements, maintaining balance and posture, as well as contributing to motor learning. 

The group enjoyed animated discussion around the use of  animal products as part of their studies, agreeing that the dissection activity provided them with a  a real understanding of how complicated the brain organ is.  They could easily see how 'mapping' the brain is a complex concept - it is a lot different from looking at explicitly colour-coded pictures in a text book! 

Students also recognised that  using the animal products ensured that no part of the animal had gone to waste - instead  they served to educate jour scientists of the future -  and they were very respectful of these resources.