Unit 2: Brain Maintenance
Student Guide Lesson 6
Name:
Class Period:
1. List some facts about the brain and its reward system. (Slide 2)
● The brain develops back to front
● The reward area (Nucleus Accumbens) matures first and outweighs the consideration of the
“threat” in the teen brain. Note on the slide how the red arrow is much smaller than the pink
arrow identifying how teens weigh rewards far greater than a threat.
2. This means adolescents take more risks. (Slide 3)
● Due to the teen’s stage in brain development, teens are not as good at detecting and
processing fear when compared to adults.
● The amygdala and cortex connection is not fully mature yet.
● Teens have to practice self-regulation. Plan, weigh outcomes with the help of a trusted adult,
and work to make informed choices.
3. Define tattoos. (Slide 5)
● A tattoo is a permanent mark or design made on your skin with pigments inserted into the
skin’s top layer.
4. What are the health risks associated with tattoos?
Tattoos breach the skin, which means that skin infections and other complications are possible
including:
- Allergic reactions
- Skin infections
- Bloodborne diseases
● Medication or other treatment might be needed if an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink
occurs, or a skin infection occurs
5. Define piercings. (Slide 7)
● A piercing is the creation of an opening in a part of the body for the insertion of insertion.
U2L6 Student Guide 1
6. What are the health risks associated with piercings? (Slide 8)
● Any type of piercing poses a risk of complications, including:
- Allergic reactions
- Oral complications
- Skin infections
- Bloodborne diseases
- Tearing at the piercing site
● Medication or other treatment may be required to treat an allergic reaction, infection, or
other skin problem at or near the piercing.
7. How can you be sure to make a healthy decision about some of the trends occurring in society
today? (Slide 9)
● Be aware of the risks
● Consider all potential consequences
● Make informed decisions about your body
8. Why is it important to use a helmet? (Slide 13)
● Without your brain, you can do very little
● Important to protect your brain
● Helmets are proven to prevent or reduce brain injury
9. How does a helmet protect your brain? (Slide 14 – narrator and visual on slide)
Helmets protect your brain very well from blunt force trauma.
10. What are some things you can identify that ensure your helmet fits properly? (Slide 14)
● Well maintained
● Age appropriate
● Worn every time and correctly
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● Appropriately certified for use
● While there is no concussion-proof helmet, a helmet can help protect you from a serious
brain or head injury
11. (Slide 16)
● North Carolina is one of the top 10 states for ATV-related deaths.
● According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, sadly, more than 500 people
have died in ATV crashes in North Carolina within the last 40+ years.
12. (Slide 17)
● There were over 100,000 injuries alone in 2016 with a significant portion of the injuries being
to the head and neck.
● New data shows that from 2016 - 2020, five years, it is estimated that there were over half a
million emergency department-treated injuries associated with ATVs, and/or UTVs in the
United States.
● 32% of ATV deaths occur on paved surfaces.
13. What is the North Carolina Law related to ATV use? (Slide 19)
● Under NC laws, children under 8 are not permitted to operate an ATV or UTV.
● Children between the ages of 9-16 may operate one, but there are engine size requirements.
● An ATV safety course must be taken, and the child must have received a safety certificate
from the training and still be accompanied by an adult at all times when operating an ATV or
UTV.
● Non -compliance subject to a fine of $200; however, the law does not apply to the operation
of ATVs when used for farm purposes
● Effective October 1st, 2016, all riders born on or after Jan. 1, 1990, must possess a safety
certificate indicating successful completion of an ATV safety course
14. Explain what happened to NBA athlete Rodney Rodgers. (Slide 20)
He hit a bump on his dirt bike and fell off, causing him to break several vertebrae.
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15. What is distracted driving? (Slide 23)
● Anything that takes your attention away from driving can be a distraction
● Sending a text message, talking on the phone, and eating while driving are a few examples
● Any of these distractions can endanger the driver and others
16. Who is most at risk for distracted driving? (Slide 23)
● Young adults and teen driver
● Drivers under the age of 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes
● Recent findings include:
- Less likely to wear a seatbelt
- More likely to ride with a driver who has been drinking
- More likely to drink and drive
17. How does texting while driving increase a person’s likelihood of being in a car accident? (Slide 24)
● Taking one’s eyes off the road for 5 seconds to read a text is long enough to cover the length
of a football field while driving at 55 mph
18. What percent of North Carolina High School Students reported that they texted or e-mailed
while driving a car on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey? (Slide 25)
40%
What was the percentage in the United States?
36%
19. How can distracted driving be prevented? (Slide 26)
● Teens can be the best messengers with their peers, speak up when you see a friend driving
while distracted
● Use social media to remind friends, family, and neighbors to not make the deadly choice of
driving distracted
● Model the safe behaviors:
- Do not drive distracted
- Wear your seatbelt
- Follow the speed limit
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- Do not ride with someone being distracted behind the wheel
20. How can you take control of your actions? (Slide 28)
Use self-regulation to practice healthy decision-making that prevents catastrophes and protects
yourself and others
21. What is the summary? (Slide 29)
● Teenagers take more risks and are not as good at detecting and processing fear compared to
adults
● Trends aren’t always safe ~ there are serious health risks associated with tattoos and
piercings
● North Carolina is one of the top 10 states for atv -related deaths
● Wearing a helmet will help prevent brain and head injuries
● keeping ATVS off of roads and other paved surfaces will save lives
● Drivers under 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes
● Distracted driving can be prevented.
● Teens can take control of their actions using self-regulation skills to practice healthy
decision-making that prevents catastrophes and protect themselves and others
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