Unit 2: Brain Maintenance
Student Guide Lesson 6
1. What are the objectives of today’s lesson?
● Explain how teen brain development and the brain’s reward system collectively impact
adolescent decision making
● Describe and apply facts about teen brain development and risk-taking behaviors
● Critique the potential health and social consequences of body art
2. List some facts about the brain’s reward system.
● The brain remembers when and how
● The brain coordinates behavior to achieve reward and experience a pleasurable activity or
experience again
● Threat is not really a question to a teen
● The teen reward system is set on go
3. How does a teen brain’s development impact their decision making?
● The brain develops back to front
● The cortex and amygdala do not have a mature connection yet
● In teens, the influence of the amygdala over the cortex is stronger
● Teens may know to make a better decision but may choose an opposite decision due to that
decision being driven by emotions
● Since the connection between the amygdala and cortex is not fully engaged yet due to the
development level of the teen brain is why teens are not as good at detecting and processing
fear when compared to adults
4. Define tattoos and identify the health risks associated with them.
● A tattoo is a permanent mark or design made on your skin with pigments inserted through
pricks into the skin’s top layer
● Tattoos breach the skin, which means that skin infection and other complications are
possible including:
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- Allergic reactions
- Skin infection
- Other skin problems
- Bloodborne diseases
- MRI complications
● Medication or other treatment might be needed if you experience an allergic reaction to the
tattoo ink or you develop an infection or other skin problems near a tattoo
5. Define piercings and the health risks associated with them.
● A piercing is the creation of an opening in a part of the body for the insertion of jewelry
● Any type of piercing poses a risk of complications, including:
- Allergic reactions
- Oral complications
- Skin infections
- Other skin problems
- Bloodborne diseases
- Tearing or trauma
● You might need medication or other treatment if you develop an allergic reaction, infection
or other skin problem near the piercing
6. What does SAFE stand for in the helmet video?
● Size: find out what helmet size fits correctly
● Ask: try on the helmet and ask how the helmet feels
● Fit: check to see if the helmet shifts at all
● Evaluate: connect the strap and open your
7. What are some things you can identify the ensures your helmet fits properly?
● Well maintained
● Age-appropriate
● Worn consistently and correctly
● Appropriately certified for use
● While there is no concussion-proof helmet, a helmet can help protect you from a serious
brain or head injury
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8. What is the North Carolina Law related to ATV use?
● In 2005, NC’s ATV law went into effect that requires safety training and regulates who can
ride ATV’s.
● The law requires that children must be at least 8 years old to legally operate an ATV and must
ride an ATV that is appropriately sized for their age.
● Non-compliance is subject to a fine of $200; however, the law does not apply to the
operation of ATV’s when used for farm purposes
● Effective October 1st, 2016, all riders born on or after Jan. 1, 1990 must possess a safety
certificate indicating successful completion of an ATV safety course
9. What happened to NBA athlete Rodney Rodgers?
He had an accident on an ATV and was paralyzed from the neck down
10. Why should you use a helmet?
● Without your brain, you can do very little
● Therefore, it is important to make decisions to keep it protected such as wearing a helmet
● Helmets are proven to prevent or reduce brain injury
11. What is distracted driving?
● Anything that takes your attention away from driving can be a distraction
● Sending a text, talking on the phone, using a navigation system, and eating while driving are
a few examples
● Any of these distractions can endanger the driver and others
12. Who is most at risk for distracted driving?
● Young adult and teen drivers
● Drivers under the age of 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes
● Recent findings include:
- Less likely to wear a seatbelt
- More likely to ride with a driver that has been drinking
- More likely to drink and drive
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13. What are the dangers of texting while driving and how can you prevent it?
● Texting while driving is especially dangerous when you send or read a text
● You take your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds, long enough to cover the length of a
football field while driving at 55 mph
● Teens can be the best messengers with their peers, speak up when you see a friend driving
while distracted
● Share messages on social media that remind your friends, family and neighbors to not make
the deadly choice of driving distracted
● Model the safe behaviors:
- Do not drive distracted
- Wear your seatbelt
- Drive the speed limit
- Do not ride with someone being unsafe behind the wheel
14. What is the summary?
● The brain balances potential rewards and threats and takes proper action
● The teen brain loves to anticipate rewards
● The teen brain does not value threat as accurately as the adult brain
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