Elizabeth Behar-Powell’s AP Psychology students recently created neurotransmitter trading cards, combining creativity with an in-depth understanding of complex psychological concepts. The task required students to choose neurotransmitters such as Dopamine, Serotonin, and GABA and design trading cards detailing each neurotransmitter’s role, its effects, and how imbalances might manifest in the body.
Tali Horwitz and Rael Glusman took an especially creative route by connecting neurotransmitters to Jewish holidays. They drew fascinating parallels between the functions of these chemicals in the brain and the themes of the holidays. For instance, they connected dopamine to the excitement of receiving gifts and playing dreidel during Hanukkah, explaining how these activities trigger the brain’s reward system.
Each card featured essential details such as whether the neurotransmitter was excitatory or inhibitory, its primary functions, and the potential effects of both surplus and deficit. This assignment deepened the students’ understanding of how neurotransmitters affect behavior and bodily functions and highlighted their ability to think critically and make meaningful connections to broader themes.
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