Food for the Brain

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In this activity, learners dissect a piece of pizza to learn about nutrients important for health. This activity emphasizes the nutrients that the brain and nervous system need from food as well as the importance of eating breakfast and appropriate serving sizes. This activity also includes an optional demonstration related to serving sizes and the Food Pyramid. This lesson guide includes background information, extensions, and handouts.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
30 to 45 minutes
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 11 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Demonstration, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • 2 craft sticks
  • prepared and cooled slice of frozen supreme pizza
  • sheet of wax paper, 18-in.
  • copy of Dissect That Pizza! student sheet
  • copies of Estimates & Servings student sheet and copies of the Nutrition Facts label from the pizza package
  • cup of raw, chopped carrots (optional)
  • deck of cards (optional)
  • medium-sized apple or orange (optional)
  • slice of sandwich bread (optional)
  • teaspoon of margarine (optional)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Human Body
      • The Brain and Nervous System
      • Digestion
      • Health and Nutrition
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Analysis
      • Data Collection
    • Measurement
      • Units of Measurement
      • Size and Scale
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations

Informal Categories

  • Food and Cooking

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

Includes assesments for student learning:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Moreno, Nancy P. ; Tharp, Barbara Z.

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Baylor College of Medicine, 2003

Funding Sources:

  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Center for Research Resources
  • Science Education Partnership Award, R25 RR13454