Teacher Portal
Welcome to Human Cognition
Human Cognition invites students to investigate one of the most fascinating questions in science:
How do we know what we know?
Through five carefully sequenced investigations, students discover how the brain receives information, forms memories, solves problems, and supports uniquely human thought and reasoning.
This unit explores the science of human cognition and the intellectual virtues that guide our search for truth.
Everything you need to successfully teach the Human Cognition unit has already been organized for you.
Investigation QuickStart
Jump directly to an Investigation.
Welcome to Human Cognition
1. Getting Started: Teacher Setup & Student Access
Before teaching Investigation 1:
- Review the Investigation sequence below.
- Give students the class access code provided with your purchase.
- Have students enter their class access code at: https://faithandreason.lablearner.com/student-access/
- Students do not need individual accounts or email addresses.
2. Teacher Resources
Use these resources throughout the Human Cognition unit as needed.
End-of-Unit Assessment Materials
Use these end-of-unit assessment materials after students complete all five investigations.
The Final Assessment evaluates cumulative understanding of the Human Cognition Unit. The Answer Key supports efficient grading, and the Content Alignment Guide shows where each assessment objective is taught throughout the five Investigations. PDFs open in a new window for viewing, downloading, and printing.
3. Clarity Framework
The Clarity Framework Tools help students think more clearly—not just learn more information.
The Clarity Framework provides practical tools that strengthen observation, interpretation, evidence-based reasoning, and thoughtful discussion throughout the Human Cognition unit.
Learn more about the Clarity Framework.
4. Interactive Student Guides
The Human Cognition Student Guides may be printed or completed digitally using the interactive PDF versions provided with each Investigation.
Teachers may use the collection and grading method that best fits their classroom, including printed copies, school learning-management systems, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, email submission, or shared folders.
5. Investigations
Each Investigation contains everything needed for instruction, including lesson materials, laboratory procedures, student worksheets, discussion guides, formative assessments, answer keys, and classroom presentation resources.
Investigation 1: The Human Brain (What am I?)
In Investigation One, you will use a sheep brain in the lab, but human models will also be available for comparison. The focus of the lab will be the four lobes of the brain (frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital) and their functions.
In the second part of the lab, you will be directed to find various structures on the brain specimens and then draw them on swim caps. This lab should give you a good understanding of the overall anatomy of the brain.
Investigation 2: Simple Information Processing (How do I know the world?)
Investigation 3: Learning and Memory (How do I remember and learn?)
In Investigation Three, you will continue to study and demonstrate the Information Processing Model of human cognition and learning. During this Investigation, you will:
- Discover how permanent, long term memories are made.
- Demonstrate how critical thinking and decision-making take place, as well as factors that may inhibit these processes.
- Learn to use and control your own information processing methods to help study and improve your cognitive abilities.
Investigation 4: Executive Functions (How should I choose?)
In Investigation Four, you will learn about the slowest developing component of human cognition, executive functions. During this Investigation, you will:
- Learn that the brain’s frontal lobe involves higher-level thinking, planning, and problem-solving.
- Learn that the frontal lobe and executive functions are not fully developed until late adolescence/early adulthood.
- Begin to consider the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and intelligently discuss the opportunities and challenges this exciting new technology presents.
Investigation 5: Uniquely Human (What makes human beings unique?)
Human beings possess a distinctive ability to reflect upon their own thoughts, actions, and intentions. This investigation explores how the brain supports moral awareness—how regions like the prefrontal cortex and limbic system work together in empathy, conscience, and decision-making.
Students examine what neuroscience reveals about free will, virtue, and responsibility, and how these insights illuminate what makes us truly human. Through case studies, reflection, and comparative analysis with artificial intelligence, learners consider the biological roots and spiritual dimensions of moral judgment.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
Human Cognition
