BrainWaves

An EEG-based Neuroscience Curriculum and Teacher Training Program for High Schools

Part 1: How do neurons work?

Picture of a Neuron

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Lesson 0: Neuroscience Activities

Brief Overview: Prior to formally starting the BrainWaves curriculum, students will be introduced to activities related to neuroscience.

Lesson 1: Engage – What do you already know about neuroscience?

As a pre-assessment, students will share what they already know about neuroscience. The class will also reflect on the accuracy of their existing conceptions of neuroscience through a Kahoot challenge on neuromyths. The lesson wraps up with an overview of the course.

Lesson 2: Engage – What is neuroscience?

Students will think critically about the expansive nature of neuroscience and how it connects to their everyday life. Students will also review the different form questions can take and inquire about topics of interest within neuroscience. By the end, students should be able to generally define what neuroscience is as a discipline.

Lesson 3: Explore – SpikerBox Lab: How does our brain communicate with our body?

Students will conduct their first exploration with cockroach legs where they discover the power of electricity to stimulate neurons. In this exploration, students will work in groups to observe 1) output response (leg to brain): the creation of electrical action potentials when you stimulate the leg, and 2) input response (brain to leg): the ability to stimulate the leg with electricity. By the end, students should discover the role electricity plays in communicating with our brain.

Lesson 4: Explain – What are the different parts of a neuron?

Students will learn the different parts of a neuron and their function by reviewing the history of neuroscience. Groups will investigate how each part of the neuron was discovered. By the end, students should identify the location and function of dendrites, axons, cell bodies, terminal branches, and myelin sheath in different types of neurons.

Lesson 5: Elaborate – How is a message sent from one end of a neuron to the other?

Students will learn how a message is sent from the dendrites to the axon terminals within a neuron. After learning the general principles of action potentials, groups are presented with a case study (e.g. Multiple Sclerosis) where students investigate and provide neurological explanations for subjects behaviors. By the end, students should discuss the order of events that occur during an action potential.

Lesson 6: Elaborate – How is a message sent from one neuron to another?

Students will learn how a message is sent from one neuron to another via neurotransmitters. Similar to the prior lesson, groups will put their knowledge to use by applying their understandings to different case studies to identify how drugs affect neurotransmission. By the end, students should describe the role neurotransmitters play in allowing communication between neurons.

Lesson 7: Evaluate – How do neurons work?

As a post-assessment, groups will build a model demonstrating the different parts of a neuron and how communication happens within and between neurons. Groups should have access to a range of materials (e.g. pipe cleaners, clay) to best represent their knowledge. By the end, students should have an accurate model of how neurons work that can be referenced throughout the course.