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Brain Power: Grades 6-9

Relationship to the National Science Education Standards

This lesson aligns with three standards in the NSES: risks and benefits; personal health; and structure and function in living systems. The chart below shows how the activity aligns with these standards.

Science in Personal & Social Perspectives How the Lesson is Aligned
Risks and benefits
Personal health
Students learn about the short- and long-term effects of abusing prescription drugs and inhalants. These drugs can change how the body and brain function and can lead to addiction. Students can use this information in making decisions that affect their own health.
Life Science How the Lesson is Aligned
Structure and function in living systems Students will learn how prescription drugs and inhalants act in specific parts of the brain to alter the functioning of neurons. They will learn that these drugs ultimately affect the entire brain and body.

This page was last updated June 2007.

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Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction

As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and behavior.

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