Topic 1.
4
Play Doh Brain Lab
Objective: Identify & describe the different components of the limbic system & brain stem.
Directions: Follow the procedures outlined on the document make sure to follow the directions exactly as stated. You
may feel the need to consult textbooks or the CED.
1. Gather your PlayDoh with your partner.
2. Watch short Instructional Video on building structures (optional)
3. Both partners need to build and participate equally.
4. As you build, explain each part’s function and apply it to the driving scenario.
Prompt: Describe how each brain part is active while driving a car. For each part: 1) state its function, 2)
give an example of what you’d be doing (cognitive, sensory, motor, emotional,
or physiological)
Part 1: Cerebral Cortex (yellow)
● Use 1/2 full canister of playdoh
● Just make 1 hemisphere and flatten it
● Create a small indentation on the bottom.
● Use a toothpick to outline the 4 lobes of the cerebral cortex (frontal, parietal, occipital and
temporal.
Define & Apply (Frontal Lobe - Prefrontal Cortex):
Function: The Prefrontal cortex located in the frontal lobe is responsible for reasoning, problem solving,
comprehension and impulse control.
Application: When driving a car the prefrontal cortex will help us in planning our routes during the trip
(e.g. if we notice a detour).
The cerebral cortex is responsible for thinking, memory and movement. It is located in the outer layer of
the brain, it is also the grey matter.
Application: When driving a car, the cerebral cortex is responsible for remembering how to use the
functions of the car to operate it.
Part 2: Brainstem & Thalamus (black)
● Use 1 large full canister of playdoh
● Roll into a long cylinder
● About 10 inches in length
● Squeeze and flatten the length
● Push down the top into a bulb shape
●
Function (what it does): The Thalamus is responsible for processing and transmitting sensory messages (except
smell), as well as sending signals to the cerebral cortex.
- Consciousness
- Sleep
- memory
Driving Application (what you’d be doing): When driving a car, the thalamus is responsible for your movement
as you steer the car. Thus you are able to feel the wheel and adjust to it accordingly.
Part 3: Brain Stem - Medulla Oblongata (light pink)
● Make indentation half-way down brainstem
● Small ball of playdoh (nickel-sized sphere)
● Roll into the size of a small baby carrot
● Press into the indentation
Function (what it does): regulates involuntary body functions like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and also
reflexes like coughing, sneezing, swallowing etc. Critical path way for sensor and motor signals between the
brain and spinal cord
Driving Application (what you’d be doing): When you are driving, it helps you breathe properly so you don’t pass
out and feel dizzy and faint while driving.
Part 4: Brain Stem - Reticular Activating System (brown)
● Ball of playdoh (shape of quarter-sized hailstone)
● Flatten into an oval shape
● Lay this around the top ⅓ of the Medulla
● Etch the outside with a toothpick to represent a net
Function (what it does): The RAS is used for the sleep-wake cycle. It is mainly used for perception and
automating heart rate and respiration
Driving Application (what you’d be doing): When driving, the RAS helps your heart rate beat, keeping your
blood flowing and preventing you from fainting. It can also be used as an alert system, helping you focus on the
road and blocking out background noise.
Part 5: Brain Stem - Pons
● Grab your 4th color of PlayDoh and take ⅓ of a container’s worth
● Roll into hot-dog size and flatten
● Drape it over the back of the top half of the Reticular Formation
● Then ends should wrap around and meet in the front to form a bulb
Function (what it does): Regulating sleeping and dreaming
Driving Application (what you’d be doing): The pons itself isn’t highly active while driving, but if it
isn’t working properly, your sleep would be disrupted, making you drowsy behind the wheel.
Part 6: Cerebellum (green)
● Grab ½ can of PlayDoh
● Roll into a ball, and then flatten into a large oval
● Wrap over the pons
● Using a toothpick, etch parallel horizontal lines into the cerebellum.
Function (what it does): The cerebellum helps coordinate movement, allows you to balance and maintain good
posture and muscle tone.
Driving Application (what you’d be doing): It coordinates the movement so that when you drive you will be more
precise in the steering and pedaling.
Part 7: Limbic System - Thalamus (purple)
● This is located inside the thalamus bulb
● Use your thumb to create a football-shaped indentation in the thalamus bulb
● Use a hailstone-sized ball of playdoh, form a football shape, and press it into the indentation in
the Thalamus
Function (what it does): a relay station for most sensory information, which is then directed to other brain areas
for processing
Driving Application (what you’d be doing):relays sounds when you are driving and lets you see the traffic lights
so you can respond in time and well.
Part 8: Limbic System- Hypothalamus peach
● The Hypothalamus goes in front of, and just below, the Thalamus
● Take your finger and make a small indentation
● Using a pea-sized amount of PlayDoh and place it inside the indentation
Function (what it does): homeostasis, to help you have a drive for hunger or other things. It also helps regulate
emotions
Driving Application (what you’d be doing): when you are driving, it can help you process information and
emotion while driving. It also allows you to form memories while you drive. Furthermore, it regulates your blood
rate and heart rate.
Part 9: Endocrine System- Pituitary Gland (bright pink)
● Find ½ a toothpick
● Take a pea-sized amount of PlayDoh and place it on top of half of a toothpick on the flat end
● Holding the toothpick, insert the pointy end into the lower Thalamus bulb just below the
Hippocampus
Function (what it does): Controls metabolism, growth, sexual maturation, reproduction etc.
Driving Application (what you’d be doing): when driving a car, the pituitary gland is responsible for stimulating a
stress hormone that helps the body know that there is a change in internal functions of the body.
Part 11: Limbic System- Hippocampus (blue)
● Grab ⅓ canister of PlayDoh
● Roll it out to a long skinny rope
● Drape it over the top front part of the Thalamus bulb, and pinch the top together
● Wrap it around the Thalamus on both sides where each end is poking out from the Thalamus
bulb
Function (what it does): memory formation, learning, converting short term memories to long term ones.
Driving Application (what you’d be doing): acts as a navigator so you can remember the route to which you are
going to and where you are going
Part 12: Limbic System- Amygdala
● Grab one hailstone piece of playdoh and roll into one ball
● Attach them to the front of each end of the Hippocampus
Function (what it does): regulates emotions like fear aggression, identifying potential threats, like the fight for
flight reaction
Driving Application (what you’d be doing): danger sensor so if there is any danger ahead and you need to fight or
flight it will trigger your body
Part 13: Corpus Callosum
● Grab a ball of playdoh and roll it out into a sausage shape
● Flatten the shape, and curve it slightly
● Lift up your brain, and add the Corpus Callosum to the top of the Thalamus Bulb
Function (what it does): the main connection between the brain’s left and right hemispheres, allowing them to
communicate and integrate information for various cognitive processes.
Driving Application (what you’d be doing): allows the brain’s two hemispheres to share and integrate
information, so you can do two things ato one time like steering and changing the gear at the same time.
Final assembly – Lay out the right hemisphere of the cerebral cortex with the
ridges down (the thumb of the glove points to the left). Carefully place the
completed brainstem and midbrain structures on it, with the cerebellum
sticking out the back.
PRESENTING YOUR BRAIN MODEL
Directions:
1. Use your ipad/computer to record a video as you use the brain model to identify and explain the
different functions of the brain in relation to the scenario. (explaining how each brain structure
would be responsible for driving a car.)
2. Make sure one member of your group is using a finger or laser pointer to point to the relevant brain
structure you are applying.
3. Video applications should be concise and specific -- no longer than 2 minutes per person.
4. Upload your video to google drive
5. ‘link group member #1 application here’
6. ‘link group member #2 application here’
7. Double check to ensure Mr. Vogel has access to the video file.
8. Submit your assignment on Schoology.
Note: If you don’t have time to record video in class -- you may take a picture and complete the application
outside of class.
Prompt: Describe how each brain structure might be actively involved while someone is going on a road trip by
car. Explain the specific functions of each structure in relation to the road trip experience, considering the
cognitive, sensory, motor, emotional, and physiological processes that occur during the journey. Please note that
all areas of the brain are (or can be) active during driving. Give an example of what you would be DOING that
would make each part of the brain function.
Use the checklist to identify and explain the different functions of each part of the brain. Each partner should
present in the video!
Try not to look at notes when presenting!
● Frontal Lobe (Motor Cortex) -- While you’re driving
● Thalamus
● RAS (What actions do you keep alert at the wheel?)
● Cerebellum
● Amygdala
● Hypothalamus
● Pituitary Gland
● Hippocampus
● Corpus Callosum
