"Backwards Bike" becomes a beloved unit in Human Rights course

Ms. Martin teaches Human Rights, another hands-on elective. An iconic hands-on unit, the "backwards bike", explores the idea of neuroplasticity. Ms. Martin states,

the Backwards Bike was inspired by some fun and engaging videos on youtube, where an engineer explores how to ride a reverse-steering bike and what that means in terms of how our brain is wired.

The backwards (reverse steering) bike gives Human Rights elective students the opportunity to explore not only the topic of neuroplasticity, but to experience how hard it is to rewire our brain! Learners are challenging their cognitive biases and realize that their brain can be changed. Riding the bike requires patience, humility, and challenges to our own reality. Martin added,

Many times learning of and confronting Human Rights challenges in history and present day around the world required/require the same or us. 

It is an iconic unit in the anthropology class and students can be seen practicing in the halls during class, and even show off their abilities during an assembly. Cooper, a sophomore, said,

It's not like a normal bike. I wouldn't even call it a bike. Once you get the turning down, then you have to work on the balance part.

Cooper said he has practiced six times, and has a total of over two hours of practice. He admits he is getting better at the task.

When asked what the hardest part of learning the "backwards bike" is, Liam said,

It makes me sweat! The hardest part is trying to get the second leg on the pedals. I don't learn new skills very often, so it's fun for me to branch out and learn something new.

The Human Rights course in a elective and is offered third trimester as well.