Tis the Season to Give – Your Brain Will Thank You!

Neuroscience tells us that doing good works is also good for your physical and mental health. Give yourself the gift of giving by donating to a cause that matters to you. Here are a few suggestions that matter to me:

Wikipedia

Wikipedia is a small, non-profit organization that supports millions of users, including me. I’m probably on this site at least once a day and it is a valuable resource for quick information, even if I use it only as a jumping-off point for further research. You can give any amount at: http://tinyurl.com/j524yv7

Adopt a Classroom

On average, teachers spend up to $500 of their own money every year on school supplies. That’s just so sad in this country where we have so much! Adopt a classroom lets you select a specific class to support. The teacher will purchase the supplies and you will get updates on how your generous donation was used. http://www.adoptaclassroom.org

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

Donating to the ASPCA can be a wonderful alternative to standard holiday gift giving. With your donation, you can choose to send a paper greeting card (delivered in 3-10 business days) or an eCard (sent immediately) Better yet, give a beautiful animal a new home by adopting today and give yourself a new best friend! http://tinyurl.com/hvasu5c

Khan Academy is a small nonprofit organization with a big mission – free world-class education for all! With fewer than 100 employees, Khan Academy serves over a million users each month – many of them school teachers and students – or lifelong learners like me who just can’t stop themselves. All gifts made in December will be matched dollar-for-dollar, so now is the perfect time to support this innovative icon of learning. Be honest now – you’ve gone there at least once to bone up on something you were supposed to know already, right? https://www.khanacademy.org/donate

Brain Matters: How to help anyone learn anything using neuroscience

If you had the chance to be with DaVinci, Galileo or Curie at their greatest moment of discovery, would you take it?

If you said “yes,” then you’re in luck. The human race is embarking on a great adventure; we are discovering how the brain works by watching it in the very act of cognition. Neuroscientists are starting to unlock the code that makes the brain works, giving educators, teachers, corporate trainers and mentors new tools to help people learn.

In a series of short essays, Margie Meacham leads the reader inside the human brain and links scientific discoveries to practical applications for anyone who wants to help people learn. A self-described scholar-practitioner, Margie uses brain science in her instructional consulting practice based in Phoenix, AZ. You can find her on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

But it now!