What are some connections to The Nature of Things's episode "Surviving the Teenage Brain" and the behaviors of characters in the Romeo and Juliet? How can I identify a specific character (or characters) and behavior (or behaviors) from situation(s) in Romeo and Juliet, analyze the character's behavior using big ideas, specific concepts, and terms from the episode (prefrontal cortex, limbic system), and develop my response with evidence (specific details) and explanation from both play and episode?

So for this assignment, you need to choose a character to focus on for Romeo and Juliet. I think there are several choices you can do that will make this analysis and connection especially easy.
If you want to focus on the limbic system and risk, you can choose someone like Tybalt or Mercutio, who are both impulsive and take dangerous risks. The two of them know that dueling is banned in Verona, but they still engage in the duel knowing not only the risk of death from the fight but also the risk of death from murdering the other teenager.
Like the video says, the limbic system rewards risk-taking behavior with neurotransmitters like dopamine (20:00–35:00)—so it makes sense that teenagers like Tybalt or Mercutio would engage in violence despite the very apparent risks. It is usual for them to do so, and in fact, the Prince issuing his edict is almost calling for more bloodshed because it is only going to severely punish the teens for doing what they will do anyway.
On the other hand, you might choose to focus on Romeo and Juliet who take risks, but at the same time, they are operating more like Marshal Zhang from the first five minutes of the video. Zhang discovered a new treatment for cystic fibrosis because “to bring a fresh perspective and challenged old limits is the very essence of the teenage mind” (2:50–2:59). He considered the problems and limits presented to him with the treatment differently than a seasoned lab assistant and was able to come up with a new way to do the treatment as a result. Romeo and Juliet also question “the way things are” when they ask questions like, “Wherefore art thou Romeo?” (meaning why do you have to be called Romeo), questioning the fact that she is supposed to hate him.
That challenge to old rules and barriers is precisely what it takes to end the feud between the families, but it is not successful only because of their love or marriage, but because of the risks they take and the final sacrifice of their lives. For them, the risk is worth it ultimately, but they can see something their parents cannot—the feud is pointless, and in asking the questions about why she is supposed to hate Romeo solely for his name, Juliet is making one of the most coherent arguments against the feud in the entire text. It shows why teenagers' willingness to challenge accepted norms or ideas can be beneficial and even positive.