Battle of the Ages

### Cold Open

It's a fact of life. From the minute we're born... we're all getting older. And while we get better at some things as we age... like walking, reading and driving. Other things get harder as we age, like walking, reading and driving! This is Rusty(Dog), he's eight years old. That's like being middle-aged to you and me. Now, it's long been believed that the body and brain deteriorate over time but new research is actually showing that the brain may age much better than we previously thought, which is awesome. The question is, can you really teach an old dog new tricks?

### Questions

Are there parts of your brain that can actually improve as you get older?

## Games

### Game #1: Raise Your Hearing

If you can hear certain tones, we can guess your age. Play along with volunteers as well, who will play along for the episode.

Result: As the number of hertz increase, the younger you have to be to hear the tone.

Why: While sounds What we hear is determined by patterns of neurons firing in our brain, and the brain has to translate sound vibrations done by hair cells, and as we age, these hair cells deteriorate, and you might be using a high-frequency(hertz) ringtone you don't even know about!

The younger brains get a point.

### Game #2: The \_\_\_\_\_\_ Sequence

What's the next number in the sequence?

Result: If you got 34, you're probably over that age.

Older brains can activate both hemispheres and solve problems more efficiently. For using both sides of their brain, the older brains tie up the score.

### Game #3: Drive For Brain Games' Sake!

Figure out who's behind the wheel as they avoid distractions. Will experience make up for age?

Result: The younger brains won this challenge, but why?

Why and How: The reason the younger brain did better was because.... but first... let's play a game.

### Game #4: You Drive!

Tell if the vehicle that flashes on screen is a bus, truck, or car. Then keep out for a sign.

Result: You're probably under 30 if you got all 3 tests correct.

Why cont: While they don't have as much driving experience, they can process information faster. Your so-called "useful field of view" decreases as you age. And this gives the younger brain another point.

### Game #5: The Last Word

Take letters and make words out of them? Who will make more? And play along to try and make as many words from the word SCOREBOARD.

Result: The older folks won this game... are they just smarter?

Why: Language and knowledge don't decay in our brain often and our vocabulary increases, which lets the older brains make the score a draw.

### Game #6: PARTY!

Keep track of a rockin' party! Will you succeed?

Result: If you're under 40 years old, chances are you knew there were 4 people in the house.

Why: As we age, we lose the ability to call the information on the fly and can lead to a forgetful moment where we forget what we were going to say or do. If that happens, look from side to side rapidly with your eyes to try and help joy your memory. However, the younger brains still won this fair and square, putting them in the lead once again.

### Game #7: The Brightest Idea

Figure out which bulb corresponds with which light(3 lights) and label them without knowing which are on and off, and if you do go check, you only get one look, and then label the blubs. Who will take the final point?

Result: In order to solve this puzzle, turn on two lights, then leave both on for around 1 minute, leave one off, and go to the other room. One bulb will be on, two off, but one will be off, but still warm! And the older brains won. And you don't need to pay attention in science class to figure it out.

Why: Some might expect younger brains to win due to their "fluid intelligence" which lets you get to the bottom of things. But the older brains used their so-called "crystallized intelligence" to win. By using their age and experience to solve problems and a skill that improves over time. And it's all tied up... again.