Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. General Understanding of the Nervous System: students will be able to describe and understand the importance of the nervous system for the functioning of the human body, recognizing its function as a central control system.

2. Identification of the main organs: students will be able to identify the main organs of the nervous system, such as the brain and the bulb, understanding the specific functions of each and the interrelation between them.

3. Differentiation between the Central Nervous System and the Peripheral Nervous System: students will be able to differentiate these two fundamental parts of the nervous system, understanding their distinct functions and how they work together to coordinate the body's activities.

Secondary Objectives:

• Stimulate research and autonomous study: students will be encouraged to seek additional information about the nervous system, using digital resources to complement the content presented in class.

• Promote active participation: through the use of flipped classroom, students will be encouraged to participate in discussions and practical activities, contributing to a more dynamic and engaging learning environment.

Introduction (10 - 12 minutes)

1. Review of related content: the teacher should start the class with a brief review of the structure and basic functions of the human body, focusing on the organization of systems and organs. This review may include a quick discussion on the role of the nervous system in coordinating other bodily functions. (2 - 3 minutes)

2. Problem situations: the teacher can present two situations to spark students' interest:

   • Situation 1: 'Imagine you are walking down the street and suddenly a car accelerates towards you. What happens in your body that allows you to react quickly and avoid the accident?' (2 minutes)

   • Situation 2: 'How is it possible that even when we are sleeping, our heart continues to beat, our breathing continues, and our internal organs keep functioning?' (2 minutes)

3. Contextualization: explain that the nervous system is essential for the survival and proper functioning of the human body. It coordinates all bodily activities, from muscle contraction to thinking. Additionally, emphasize that the study of the nervous system is fundamental for understanding various diseases and conditions, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, among others. (2 - 3 minutes)

4. Introduction to the topic:

   • Curiosity 1: 'Did you know that the human brain contains about 86 billion neurons and is one of the most complex organs in the known universe?' (1 minute)

   • Curiosity 2: 'And that our nervous system can transmit information at a speed of up to 120 meters per second? That's faster than a Formula 1 car!' (1 minute)

5. Lesson objective: conclude the introduction by clarifying that the objective of the lesson is to better understand how this incredibly complex system works and is essential for our lives. (1 minute)

Development (25 - 30 minutes)

1. Activity 1: 'The brain in your hands' (15 - 20 minutes)

   • Preparation: the teacher should provide each group of students with a 3D printed model of the human brain or a detailed image if a 3D model is not available. Each group of students should also have access to a study guide that identifies the main parts of the brain and their functions.

   • Activity: each group should study the brain model/image, identifying the different parts (such as the cortex, cerebellum, brainstem, and bulb) and their respective functions. Then, students should research more information about the part of the brain that interests them the most and share their findings with the class.

   • Conclusion: the teacher should guide a discussion on the importance of the brain for the nervous system and how damage to different parts of the brain can affect a person's ability to think, feel, move, etc.

2. Activity 2: 'Neuron challenge' (10 - 15 minutes)

   • Preparation: the teacher should provide materials for each group of students to build a neuron model. These may include popsicle sticks, strings, modeling clay, etc. Each group of students should also have access to a study guide that identifies the main parts of a neuron.

   • Activity: each group should use the provided materials to build a model of a neuron, identifying the different parts (such as the cell body, dendrites, axon, etc) and their functions. Then, students should research how neurons transmit information through the body and share their findings with the class.

   • Conclusion: the teacher should guide a discussion on how neurons work together to transmit information through the nervous system and the importance of this for the functioning of the human body.

3. Activity 3: 'Role of nerves' (15 - 20 minutes)

   • Preparation: the teacher should provide each group of students with a set of cards. Each card should represent a different body function (such as 'blink eyes', 'feel cold', 'contraction of the arm muscle', etc).

   • Activity: each group should classify the cards into two piles: one for functions controlled by the central nervous system and another for functions controlled by the peripheral nervous system. Students should then share their categorizations with the class and justify their choices.

   • Conclusion: the teacher should guide a discussion on the difference between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, and how they work together to control body functions.

These playful and interactive activities should help students better understand the functions and importance of the nervous system in the human body. Additionally, engaging in group activities will promote collaboration and discussion among students, contributing to a more participative and engaging learning environment.

Return (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Review of group activities (3 - 4 minutes)

   • The teacher should facilitate a group discussion with all students about the solutions or conclusions reached by each group. This is an opportunity for students to present the discoveries they made during the activities and for the teacher to clarify any misunderstandings or doubts that may have arisen.
   • The teacher should encourage students to explain their answers and provide justifications for their choices during the activities. This will help reinforce the concepts learned during the lesson and promote deeper critical thinking.

2. Connection to theory (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher should review the main theoretical concepts presented at the beginning of the lesson and connect these concepts with the results of the practical activities. For example, the teacher can explain how the activity 'The brain in your hands' illustrates the complexity and importance of the brain in the nervous system.
   • This is an opportunity for the teacher to assess what was learned from the group activities and reinforce the connection between theory and practice.

3. Final reflection (3 - 4 minutes)

   • The teacher should propose that students take a minute to reflect on answers to questions such as:
     1. 'What was the most important concept learned today?'
     2. 'What questions have not been answered yet?'
   • The teacher should go from table to table, giving each student the opportunity to share their answers. This will allow the teacher to assess individual student understanding of the topic and identify any areas that may need further review or clarification.
   • The teacher can conclude this section by summarizing the main ideas discussed during the lesson and highlighting what will be covered in the next class.

The goal of this return section is to ensure that students have assimilated the concepts presented during the lesson and have the opportunity to reflect on what they have learned. Additionally, group discussion and reflection can help promote a sense of community in the classroom and encourage active student participation in the learning process.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Lesson summary (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should briefly review the main topics discussed during the lesson, recapping on the structure and functions of the nervous system, the identification of main organs, the differentiation between the central and peripheral nervous systems, and the importance of the nervous system for the functioning of the human body.

2. Connection between theory and practice (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should emphasize how the activities carried out in the classroom demonstrated the theoretical concepts discussed. For example, the 'Neuron challenge' activity allowed students to understand practically and visually how neurons work together to transmit information through the nervous system.

3. Extra materials (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should suggest additional resources for those students who wish to delve deeper into the topic. This may include reference websites, explanatory videos, documentaries, books, and scientific articles. For example, the teacher may suggest the Brain Institute website for a more in-depth exploration of the nervous system and its functions.

4. Importance of the topic (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should conclude the lesson by explaining the relevance of the nervous system in everyday life. They should highlight how the nervous system allows us to interact with the world around us, controls our bodily functions, and is crucial for our survival. Additionally, they may mention some conditions and diseases that affect the nervous system, emphasizing the importance of biology and medicine in understanding and treating these conditions.

5. Closure (1 minute): The teacher should end the lesson by thanking the students for their participation and encouraging them to continue exploring and studying the fascinating world of the nervous system. They should remind students that the knowledge gained in this lesson will be important for understanding other related topics in the future, such as the study of other parts of the human body and how these parts interact within the organism as a whole.