THE IMPORTANCE OF SEROTONIN-MODULATED LEARNING THROUGH PLAY AND DISCOVERIES MADE IN K-8 SCHOOLS TO EXPAND HEALTH LITERACY

Abstract

5-HT, or serotonin, is a neuromodulator important for the regulation of learning, memory, and behavior. Serotonin is often referred to as the "feed good hormone" and is associated with happy memories and experiences. There is much still to be discovered regarding the role of serotonin while learning. Understanding the physiology of when serotonin is released in the body, can provide insight into developing educational curriculum that is both enjoyable and memorable to students. More than 33% of the United States population has poor health literacy. This population has limited knowledge of bodily processes and may be unable to make informed health decisions. The K-8 Health Literacy, or Health Connector (HC) program developed at the University of Arizona was created to give undergraduate STEM students an opportunity to apply their fields of study by teaching health concepts to K-8 students in the Tucson community with the goal of improving health literacy amongst young students. Interactive and hands-on approaches were a focus for all lessons. Several pieces of evidence support this the efficacy of this program. Comparing pre and post assessments taken by K-8 students prior to the HC lesson showed that all classes improved. Feedback from K-8 teachers suggests long term learning and memory of topics covered and reflections by undergraduate Health Connectors indicate a greater appreciation for interactive teaching. Together these provide support for the potential role of serotonin in facilitating learning especially when hands-on learning is included. Programs such as the K-8 Health Literacy Program provide a valuable opportunity for undergraduate students to apply their learning in a real-life setting, while also helping to improve the health literacy of K-8 students.