This month is a collaborative episode with the hosts of the School Spirits podcast. We read a study of pigeon working memory that indicates complex visuals activate substantially more of our brains than simple ones, which can help with memory and processing of information.
Later, we discuss new data that shows how common caregiving responsibilities are among school students. The findings prompt us to think about how schools can be places that support and embrace students as caregivers.
- First Segment – 04:07 – Stimulus complexity & physical brain response
- Second Segment – 26:12 – Student caregiving responsibilities & sense of belonging
Featured Guests
Primary Citations
- Pusch, R., Packheiser, J., Azizi, A.H. et al. Working memory performance is tied to stimulus complexity. Commun Biol 6, 1119 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-05486-7
- Armstrong-Carter, E., Osborn, S., Smith, O., Siskowski, C., & Olson, E. A. (2023). Middle and High School Students Who Take Care of Siblings, Parents, and Grandparents: Associations With School Engagement, Belonging, and Well-Being. AERA Open, 9. https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584221140337
Supplemental Citations
- School Spirits Podcast
- Abbey Road (The Beatles)
- The Madding Crowd (Nine Days)
- Continuum (John Mayer)
- Dummy (Portishead)
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- 011 For Whom Does the Bell Toll? (Two Pint PLC)
- Coloring for Colorblindness
- The Immense World (Ed Yong)
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- Other Countries Have Safety Nets. The U.S. Has Mothers (Culture Study)
- American Association of Caregiving Youth
Featured Beverage
“A Risky Classroom” adapted by Laurence Woodruff
Drink From a Pint Glass
- 2 Shots of bourbon (I used Jefferson’s)
- One shot of Lemon Juice
- Half a shot of simple Syrup
- 2 Maraschino cherries mashed
Mix
- Top with Blue moon.
- Add 1 shot of grenadine
Garnish with ¼ orange wedge
- I squeezed into the drink and dropped it in.