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Perception & Illusion 1: Seeing Faces

How does our brain detect faces?

Project page

Dreamachine

Ages

5-6 6-7

Topic

Identity and diversity

Format

Lesson plan

Duration

60 minutes

Faces are extremely important parts of our world – and this lesson plan for pupils aged 5–7 explores how our brain detects the presence of faces.

The lesson plan uses games, photography and discussions to explore how and why our brains are particularly sensitive to faces and face-like things. Pupils will discover the ‘fusiform face area’, the part of the brain that detects and recognises faces, and the ‘Thatcher illusion’, which reveals the brain’s special sensitivity to the features of faces.

Developed for Dreamachine by A New Direction in partnership with the British Science Association, the 10-page PDF lesson plan includes plenty of prompts for discussions, plus links and resources for further learning.

Lesson plan

Download here

Curriculum links

England:
Science: Working Scientifically
Key Stage: KS1

Northern Ireland:
The World Around Us: Interdependence
Key Stages: Foundation, KS1

Scotland:
Sciences: Experiences, Outcomes
Level: First Level

Wales:
Science & Technology: Principles of Progression, What Matters
Progression Step: PS2