What’s the smartest age? - Shannon Odell
Let’s Begin…
Tomorrow is the annual Brain Clash — a decathlon of mental challenges, trivia competitions, and puzzles. Amir needs a smart and capable teammate and must choose between three people; all of different ages and talents. So, who should Amir choose for the contest? Shannon Odell breaks down the idea of “smart” and explores how our brain development impacts our skills at various stages of our lives.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
The Baby’s Brain
For a fascinating look inside a baby’s brain when they are playing and exploring, head over to Alisons Gopnik’s TEDTalk, “What Do Babies Think?” Her research explores the sophisticated intelligence-gathering and decision-making that babies are really doing when they play.
The Adolescent and Teenage Brain
Discover what the latest research into the adolescent brain reveals about how teens learn and interact with their environment in “Teenage Brains: Wired to Learn,” a video made by Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute.
The Adult Brain
Want to know about how and why learning a new skill can actually slow down cognitive decline and aging? Check out this article published by Harvard University’s Medical School.
Watch the video and finish the Think section to complete the lesson.
About The Science of Adolescence
The adolescent brain is spectacular! Between roughly the ages of 10 and 25, key connections are forming within the brain, between ideas, and between people. Understanding how this “connecting brain” works can help us facilitate positive development and make healthier decisions, enabling us to take advantage of the remarkable potential of these formative years.
Meet The Creators
- Video created by TED-Ed
- Lesson Plan created by TED Ed
