Optical illusions and the brain.
CYSF · 2025 Bronze Medal
Overview
Why does the human brain see optical illusions? The neuroscience of optical illusions.
Problem
How do our brains process optical illusions?
Method
We started by researching the brain, how it works, all of its main parts and it's importance to the rest of the body. We then came across optical illusions which peaked our interest so we decided to pursue that topic and learn more about how and why our brain perceives optical illusions.
Research
We used a variety of resources, including several different websites and books from our library. We compiled all of our information into different categories and determined what information was most important and what information would be relevent in explaining the perception of optical illusions.
Data
Through our research, we determined that optical illusions happen when our brain and our eyes try to share information but it gets misinterpreted. Your senses pick up information and try to send it to your brain but your brain sometimes creates a perception of what it's receiving and it tries to fill the missing pieces and creates images that are not really there.
Conclusion
Through all of our research, we concluded that the visual cortex that is located in the back of your head is the part of your brain that directly processes information from your eyes.
Citations
https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/brain/optical-illusions-and-how-they-work/selecting https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22638-brain https://www.optics4kids.org/optical-illusions https://michaelbach.de/ot/
https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/11-fun-facts-about-your-brain
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/in-depth/brain/art-20546821
Acknowledgement
I acknowledge My parents and my groups parents, Miss James, Mr.Martin, our schools counsler, Some of our classmates.
Awards (1)
Competition history
- CYSF 2025
Resources
- Presentation
- Not working? Open in a new tab.
- https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/brain/optical-illusions-and-how-they-work/selecting
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22638-brain
- https://www.optics4kids.org/optical-illusions
- https://michaelbach.de/ot/
- https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/11-fun-facts-about-your-brain
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/in-depth/brain/art-20546821
- View Log Book (may download a file)
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Source: Calgary Youth Science Fair