.Participants will be able to Better Define the Brain Development Benefits of Playgrounds in Child Development 2.Participants will be able to Better Analyzing playground Structures based on Brain Development. 3.Learn How to Design Play Environments Based on the Knowledge as to How Playgrounds Effect Brain Development. Activities to be Conducted: Interactive learning occurs as participants discuss newest research on the brain value of playgrounds.

1. Playgrounds, Mental Health, & Brain Development Presented by: JC Boushh [email_address]

2. The Amazing Brain

3. The Amazing Brain: Cerebral Arteries

4. The Amazing Brain: Neurons

5. The Amazing Brain: Synapse

9. Environments changes the brain! A busier, more complex outside environment will physically alter the physical structure inside the brain!

10. Novelty & Complexity in the Brain: Playing a Computer Game

11. Novelty & Complexity in the Brain: Playing a Computer Game Experienced Player Inexperienced Player

12. Novelty & Complexity on the Playground Sand Loose Parts Water

14. 0- 1000- 2000- 3000- 4000- 5000- 6000- With Exercise Without Exercise Neurogenesis in four weeks Exercise Doubles Neurogenesis Source: From H. Van Praag, G. Kempermann, and F. Gage, “Running Increases Cell Poliferation and Neurogenesis in the Adult Mouse Dentate Gyrus,” Nature Neoroscience 1999, 2, 266-270

15. Mirror Neurons “Mirror Neurons make it possible for people to learn complex motor skills simply by seeing others perform them”. (Hamilton, 2008)

16. Play = Learning

17. Questions & Discussions