Interested in learning more about partnering with us through BrainWaves Discovery? Complete our interest form, and we will contact you with more information.
Educators and potential partners: Connect with us to bring the BrainWaves Discovery program to your community or group!
Our Explore 4-H programs give schools, educators and youth-serving organizations the opportunity to bring proven, research-based 4-H experiences to their communities.
Complete our interest form, and we will send more information to help you get started.
What is BrainWaves Discovery?
The BrainWaves Discovery program uses engaging, 30-45 minute activities to spark curiosity in neuroscience and support young people in developing wellbeing skills and practices that will keep their brains healthy and thriving.
Age group
Designed for grades 6-8
Youth outcomes
BrainWaves Discovery guides youth to:
- Develop curiosity in neuroscience.
- Investigate how the brain works and changes throughout life.
- Connect their behaviors and emotions to brain function.
- Practice mental wellness skills for a healthy brain.
Program information
|
Partners implementing BrainWaves Discovery receive curriculum, access to brain models and may also receive support from 4-H staff who can help facilitate or co-facilitate programs with their teams.
Fill out the interest form to get connected!
BrainWaves Discovery teaches the basics of brain function, development and health through hands-on activities, simulations and real-life scenarios so they can make their own science-informed health decisions.
Lessons
- Neurons - Youth create and test their own neuron models to see how the brain sends messages, helping them understand what’s happening inside their brains as they think, feel and move.
- How the Brain Learns - Youth explore how mistakes and feedback contribute to learning through activities that challenge skill development and motor learning.
- How to Support Healthy Brain Development - Youth identify key building blocks for a healthy brain by engaging in several activities that support their brain development.
- Harmful and Helpful Risk-taking - Youth learn how their brain’s development affects their risk-taking decisions and gain a deeper understanding of motivations for risk by examining various risk-taking scenarios.
- What Makes Drug Use Risky - Youth learn about some of the factors that influence a drug’s impact and risk of overdose through a simulation activity.
- Understanding Addiction - Youth learn that addiction is a brain-based disorder that develops through repeated drug use and leads to biological changes like tolerance and dependence, by building shared language and reducing stigma through discussion and art work.
- Support for Stress - Youth learn about three types of childhood stress and how support systems can buffer stress while mapping their own social supports.
BrainWaves Discovery lessons connect to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Minnesota Health and Science Standards.
Ready to explore?
Complete the interest form
Reviewed in 2026