Brain Basics Quiz

Choose your category and the point value.

Society for Neuroscience, 2016.

Questions are based on articles in the Brain Basics section of BrainFacts.org.

Society for Neuroscience, 2016.

Answer the question correctly, and your team gains the point value of the question. Answer the question incorrectly, and the other team gets a chance to steal the points!

Society for Neuroscience, 2016.

Can your students identify the parts of a neuron or recognize a neuromyth? Then split your class into teams to compete in the Brain Facts Brain Basics Quiz! The 25-question quiz will test their knowledge of brain anatomy, brain myths, and much more. 

Click the buttons at the bottom of the lesson plan to download the game and answer key.

Synopsis

Students will work in two teams to compete in the Brain Basics Quiz. The 25-question quiz will test students’ knowledge of brain anatomy, brain myths, and much more.

Objectives

At the end of this activity students will:

• Understand basic brain and neuron anatomy
• Understand what an action potential is and how neurons communicate
• Be able to identify brain myths 

Teacher Background

Questions on the Brain Basics Quiz are drawn from the following articles from the Brain Basics section of BrainFacts.org:

• Mapping the Brain
• Neuromyths
• Nuts and Bolts
• Classical Neurotransmitters
• Electrifying the Brain 

Students should study these materials to prepare for the quiz.

Integration Into Curriculum

• Health
• Biology, AP Biology
• Anatomy and Physiology

Setup

1. Print out a copy of the answer key.
2. Divide the class into two even teams. Have each team come up with a team name and write it on the board. This is how you will keep score throughout the game.
3. Open up the Brain Basics Quiz so students can see the game and go to Slide 2 to begin.

Directions

1. Determine which team will go first — this can be done by flipping a coin, playing rock, paper, scissors, etc. — and select a student from that team (Team A) to answer the first question.
2. The student selects a category (Mapping the Brain, Fact or Myth, Neuron Anatomy, Classical Neurotransmitters, or Electrifying the Brain) and a point value (100-500). Students are free to choose any category and point value; they do not have to select questions in a particular order.
3. Read the question aloud to the class. The student has up to one minute to answer the question.
• If they are correct:
  • Press “Enter” on your keyboard to reveal the answer to the class.
  • Award their team the point value of the question.
  • Click the “Home” button in the lower right corner of the screen to return to Slide 2.
  • Select the next representative for their team. Repeat steps 2-3.  
• If they are incorrect, do not reveal the answer to the class. The other team now has the opportunity to steal the question. Ask the other team to raise their hands if they know the answer and select a student to answer.
  • If they are correct, reveal the answer to the class and award their team the points. Select the next representative for their team. Repeat steps 2-3.
  • If they are incorrect, reveal the answer to class. The first team regains control of gameplay. Select the next representative for the first team. Repeat steps 2-3.
4. The game is over once all the questions have been answered. The team with the most points wins.

Rules

• Students are not allowed to consult with other teammates to come up with a correct answer.
• Students must take turns answering questions. After one student answers a questions correctly, the next member of the team must select and answer a question.
• If a student answers a question incorrectly, it must go to the other team.
• If one team has completed half the board (13 questions) before the second team has a chance to steal, the second team will take over playing. This is to ensure both teams have a chance to play.

Download the Brain Facts Brain Basics Quiz: Quiz

PPT file, 1.79 MB

Download the Brain Facts Brain Basics Quiz Answer Key: Answers

PDF file, 204 KB

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.