Life Education Trust founder Trevor Grice has developed a digital brain which schools will be able to use from the start of next year, to look inside and see what happens during puberty, as well as see how drugs, alcohol, peer pressure and relationships affect it.
Mr Grice (81) said the pressure of society, the increase in youth suicide and easy access to drugs and alcohol made it essential for young people to understand what went on in their heads.
The digital cranium can be opened to show its various components - the electric generator, the chemical plant and the ventilation, irrigation, waste disposal and early warning systems.
The new technology will be rolled out into the trust's 45 mobile classrooms, along with existing skeletons and model organs which demonstrate the body's internal functions.
The digital brain will be validated by the Auckland Medical School's Centre for Brain Research and then introduced into schools from next year.
''We want to show youngsters how unique their brain is, what happens in puberty and how hormones affect the whole body.
''A teenage brain is all accelerator and no brake. The key to them taking responsibility is understanding what's happening to them.''
Mr Grice said once it had been explained to teenagers, parents would be educated.
''They don't have a clue about puberty and what's going on. They're not in [on] the act and urgently need this information.''
The Secondary Principals' Association of New Zealand has endorsed the programme, he said.
The Life Education Trust's mobile classrooms provide health and nutrition education programmes to half of New Zealand schools annually. The trust's vision is to engage with every primary and intermediate school pupil each year.
