Values + decision-making
Give an example of a value and how it could impact a decision you make.
[open-ended]
What's puberty?
Puberty is the natural process of physical changes through which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of sexual reproduction.
Remember the stroop test, where we timed how long it took to read the color of the words that were shown on the screen? What part of the brain did they have to use to successfully complete this task?
Prefrontal cortex
True or false: alcohol is a carcinogen; it causes cancer, similar to cigarettes.
True.
What's the difference between sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex?
Sexual orientation is about who you are attracted to; gender identity is a person's sense of being male, female, or non-binary; and intersex refers to a person's sexual anatomy.
Your peers at school all wear baggy jeans, and now you want to wear baggy jeans. This is an example of ________________.
Social influence
Name one social change, one physical change, and one emotional change that happen during puberty.
[open-ended]
Over time, substance use __________ the amount of naturally occurring dopamine in your brain, and it becomes less fun to do things that used to make you happy (like go to the movies, have dinner out with your famiy).
decreases
Liquor has _____ alcohol than wine; wine has _____ alcohol than beer.
More, more
Name a birth control method that can also reduce the likelihood of getting an STI.
Condoms
Give an example of 1. how your amygdala could lead you to make a bad decision; and 2. how your prefrontal cortex could lead you to make a good decision.
[open-ended]
When can a person assigned female at birth (AFAB) get pregnant?
Once a person AFAB starts getting a period, they can become pregnant after ovulating (which happens halfway through the menstrual cycle, about 14ish days after a period begins).
During ovulation, an egg is produced, and is viable for about 24 hours.
You're watching youtube shorts, and can't stop. The reason you can't stop is because you're getting nonstop hits of ___________.
Dopamine
No -- it's a depressant.
What's the difference between gender expression and gender identity? Can a person's gender expression differ from their gender identity?
Gender expression is how we present ourselves, and it can be different than a person's gender identity, which is how someone feels about who they are. For example, a person could identify as female but have a gender expression that's more masculine.
What is one thing that we learned about that can make it hard for teens to make good decisions?
Social/peer influence, developing brain
What are two changes that happen during puberty ONLY for boys and two changes that happen during puberty ONLY for girls? What are two changes that can happen for anyone?
Boys: deeper voice, erections, wet dreams, testosterone
Girls: periods start, breasts develop, hips get bigger, estrogen
Anyone: Acne, sweating, pubic hair, mood swings
Name one thing about the teenage brain that is amazing.
Example response: it is particularly capable of learning in ways that adult brains are not.
What are three things you can do to reduce the risk of harm from drinking alcohol?
Don't drink and find a way to say "no" that works for you! Knowing how much alcohol is in the drink you're drinking, eating beforehand, avoid going to places where teen drinking is happening, do NOT drive after drinking and do NOT get in a car with someone who has been drinking, don't use alone or with strangers (and don't leave your drink!), offer to be the sober friend, make a plan and have someone to call in the event drinking does take place or you need help, do NOT mix substances, don't engage in risky behaviors
True or false: the pull-out method is more effective at pregnancy prevention than an IUD.
FALSE. IUDs are 99% effective.
How can you stop yourself from making an impulsive decision?
Use the DECIDE model; use your prefrontal cortex; find a way to take some space from the situation and have a minute to yourself to think.
What are three things you can do to help manage the changes associated with puberty?
Meditate, be active, get enough sleep, stay hydrated, use your support system and talk with friends and family about what you're going through
What are two reasons why teen brains are particularly susceptible to drug and alcohol addiction?
Less developed prefrontal cortex, super strong hit of dopamine in response to substances, nature of developing brain/neuroplasticity means that addiction pathways can become very strong in youth brains.
Only ___% of 8th graders at Hilltown report drinking, which means that the overwhelming majority of 8th graders do NOT drink.
5%
Who is responsible for STI and pregnancy prevention? Is one person more responsible than the other person?
EVERYONE is responsible. If you're engaging in sexual activity, YOU are responsible for staying safe and healthy.