Introduction to Brains and Blood
This enrichment is a combination of two activties, brains and blood. It begins with a candy neuron project and then part two is to make all the parts of blood using candy and syrup.
Candy Neuron
This candy neuron project is a really great hands-on way to help kids understand how the nervous system works. The recipe teaches kids about the types of cells, neurons, which make up the our brain, spinal cord, and nervous system.
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Materials List for Candy Neuron
-1 Twizzlers Twist (for the axon with the myelin sheath)
-1 Lifesaver (for the cell body)
–Glue
-1 piece of construction paper
-5-6 Twizzlers Pull-n-Peel (for dendrites and axon terminals)
-1 raisin, or small, oval candy, such as a Tic Tac (for the nucleus)
Gather the materials for assembling your candy neuron
Use the following image to set up your neuron:
Include the dendrites, nucleus and cell body, axon and axon terminals in your candy neuron model. The axon is thicker than the dendrites because it contains a protective covering called the myelin sheath. This helps the electrical messages move more quickly through the neuron.
Glue all the materials on the construction paper
Label your neuron parts and enjoy the rest of the extra candy, but make sure you brush your teeth well!
Be sure you warn the kids not to eat the candy that is glued down to the paper! 🙂
Breaking Down Blood
This is the second project of our brains and blood projects. Breaking Down Blood is a hands-on project that is great for teaching kids about the parts of blood in a simple, non-intimidating way.
Materials List for Breaking Down Blood
I like to list the materials as links to Amazon because I find it is very helpful to my readers. However, some things are best bought at the dollar store, and this is an example of that. I have included the links in case you want pounds of candy, lol, but please do not think you need that much! Use our pictures and video as a guide for how much you need of each item.
–clear corn syrup
–chocolate sprinkles
-a package of Red Hots candy
-a package of jelly beans or a package of gum drops (make sure whatever package you choose includes white)
-a toilet paper roll
-2 tbsp of butter
-a clear container, such as a Pyrex dish
Make the blood plasma and red blood cell mixture
Squirt the clear corn syrup into the dish. This will act as your blood plasma. Then dump in the bag of Red Hots candy. These will be your red blood cells.
Add the white blood cells and platelets
The white gum drops or jelly beans will act as your white blood cells and the chocolate sprinkles will act as the platelets.
Add a few germs
Yes, adding germs to your blood will turn your mixture septic, but it’s just too much fun to avoid. Play around with the white blood cells attacking the germs.
Discuss blood vessels, such as arteries, veins, and capillaries
The toilet paper roll will act as an artery. Use a spoon to send some of the blood mixture through the artery. It should move slowly but easy through the artery.
Discuss atherosclerosis and a how to have a healthy heart
Add some butter to the inside of the toilet paper roll. Use the spoon to send some more blood through. If you use enough butter and it is not melting and soft like ours was, you will notice that the blood does not flow as freely through the artery when it is clogged with butter.
