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demonstrations:learning_new_skills_mirror_maze

Learning New Skills Mirror Maze

Materials: ★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
Difficulty: ★☆☆ Can be easily done by most teenagers
Safety: ★☆☆ Minimal safety procedures required

Categories: Senses and Perception, The Brain and Nerves, Psychology, Sports Science

Alternative titles: Motor Learning and Memory Experiment

Summary

In this activity, participants trace a star shape while only viewing their hand’s reflection in a mirror. The task is repeated across multiple trials and days, demonstrating motor learning, memory, and adaptation as performance improves over time.

Procedure

  1. Place a star outline basic maze in front of a vertical or forward-tilting mirror.
  2. Use cardboard to block direct sight of your hand so it is only visible in the mirror.
  3. Look into the mirror and trace the star, beginning at the marked starting point.
  4. Have a partner time how long it takes to complete the tracing.
  5. Each time your pencil line touches the edge of the star, mark and count it as one error.
  6. Record the time and number of errors for each trial on the data collection sheet.
  7. Repeat the task for multiple trials across three consecutive days to observe learning and improvement.

📄 Mirror-Tracing Activity - Howard Hughes Medical Institute: https://www.biointeractive.org/sites/default/files/mirror-tracing-activity-generic.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

📄 Memory and the Brain - Manuella Yassa et. al.: https://www.brainfacts.org/-/media/Brainfacts2/For-Educators/Teaching-Techniques/MIRROR-DRAWING-TASK-PDF.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Variations

  • Compare learning curves across participants of different ages.
  • Repeat the task using the non-dominant hand to compare performance.
  • Test whether a break (e.g., 10 minutes vs. 1 day) affects how much performance improves.
  • Try different shapes (circle, square, or complex designs) to test difficulty levels.

Safety Precautions

  • Ensure the mirror is stable and cannot tip backward.
  • Use plastic mirrors for safety.

Questions to Consider

  • Did the time taken and number of errors decrease with practice? (Typically, yes — showing motor learning.)
  • How did your performance differ between Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3? (Most participants improve significantly after repeated practice.)
  • Why does mirror drawing feel so challenging at first? (The brain must adapt to reversed visual feedback and develop new motor patterns.)
  • What does this task reveal about the relationship between memory and motor skill learning? (It shows how procedural memory allows us to improve at tasks through practice, even if they feel awkward at first.)