Demystifying Science through Popular Culture

Science in the secondary classroom continues to be a source of obfuscation with many students - its terminology seems disconnected from everyday life and a discipline only understood and studied by a select few. But a closer look reveals science-related themes are ubiquitous in popular culture and adolescents are exposed to scientific concepts through many mediums (TV, movies, sports, music, magazines, literature…etc.). In what has been labeled “neuroculture” (Frazzetto & Anker, 2009), researchers have begun exploring the relationship and integration of [brain] science into popular culture. 

What needs further analysis, however, is the impact of this relationship on students’ perceptions of science and how to incorporate popular culture to advance students’ scientific knowledge.

Example lesson:

Teaching the BRAIN is one of the most challenging units I have to do each year. However, challenging is not synonymous with impossible. In the past year, concussions have been at the forefront of the NFL and national news. Question: What can studying concussions in sports teach students about the brain structure and function? Setting up a simple organizational chart (and providing research), students can investigate how concussions damage various brain regions.

Structure                        Function                                 Impact from Concussions

1. Hippocampus             memory                                                     ?

2. (pre)Frontal lobe        higher cognitive functiong                            ?

3. Cerebellum                 balance/coordination                                  ?

4. Medulla oblongata      involuntary functions (breathing)                  ?

Frazzetto G and Anker S (2009) Neuroculture, Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10, 815-821.