Exploring Neuroscience and Neurotechnologies at Home (Ebook) PostedSeptember 1, 2020 UpdatedSeptember 1, 2020 Posted byKristen Bergsman https://uw.pressbooks.pub/yspreach2020/ "Virtual REACH Program 2020: Exploring Neuroscience and Neurotechnologies at Home" (Bergsman & Chudler, 2020) is an interactive digital book for secondary students to explore topics related to neuroscience, neural engineering, and neuroethics. The ebook was designed to support at-home learning for a summer camp program for high school students at the Center for Neurotechnology, which was transitioned to a fully online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The interactive ebook format includes many resources for self-directed learning: readings, links to journal articles, videos, activities, and embedded quizzes.This ebook contains five chapters: 1) Basics of Neuroscience & Neural Engineering; 2) Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI); 3) Brain and Spinal Cord Stimulation; 4) Neuroethics; 5) College and Career Pathways. The ebook also features a glossary and information on how to read articles from academic journals. Read More Average Ratings 0 Reviews0 Q&A0
Circuitry and Sensory Substitution (A 2-Week Unit for Physics & Cambridge IGCSE Physics Courses) PostedNovember 6, 2019 UpdatedNovember 6, 2019 Posted byKristen Bergsman http://centerforneurotech.org/education-k-12-lesson-plans/circuitry-and-sensory-... In this 2-week, 4-lesson unit, students extend their knowledge of basic electric circuits by studying the function and use of complex components (e.g., thermistors, LDRs, logic gates, LEDs, etc.) in the context of a neural engineering design project. Students are introduced to basic neuroscience principles (e.g., the brain, neurons, motor cortex, brain-computer interfaces, etc.) and use these concepts to design, build, optimize, evaluate, and present a sensory-substitution device, modeled as an assistive device on circuit boards (the anchoring design problem). Some of the lessons in this unit feature special equipment, including an EMG gripper hand, Snap Circuit kits and components, circuitry components, and custom-designed circuit boards.These lessons were developed by Alexandra Pike, a National Board certified physics teacher at Juanita High School as part of the 2016-2018 Research Experience for Teachers program at the Center for Neurotechnology (University of Washington). Read More Q&A0
Computer Science Arduino-based Neural Network (A 1-Week Curriculum Unit for High School Computer Science Courses) PostedNovember 6, 2019 UpdatedNovember 6, 2019 Posted byKristen Bergsman http://centerforneurotech.org/education-k-12-lesson-plans/computer-sci-arduino-b... In this 1-week, 5-lesson unit, students will engage in an engineering design challenge within their computer science class. Students are challenged to design, construct, and test a six to eight node Arduino network as a model of a neural network as they explore introductory programming, computer engineering, and system design. The engineering design challenge is placed within the context of sensorimotor neural engineering. Some of the lessons in this unit feature special equipment, including Arduino Uno microcontrollers.The lessons were developed by Denise Thompson of Orting High School (Orting, Wash.) and Paul Zimmer of South Kitsap High School (Port Orchard, Wash.) as part of the 2015 Research Experience for Teachers program at the Center for Neurotechnology (University of Washington). Read More Q&A0
The Synapse: An Engineering Design Challenge (A 1-Week Curriculum Unit for Chemistry & AP Chemistry Courses) PostedNovember 6, 2019 UpdatedNovember 6, 2019 Posted byKristen Bergsman http://centerforneurotech.org/education-k-12-lesson-plans/synapse In this unit, students will design, construct, and test a device that optimizes the transfer of electrical current from one electrode to another. The engineering design challenge is placed within the context of sensorimotor neural engineering. Students will observe neural signals using an EMG-controlled robotic gripper hand, learn about electrochemical signals in the nervous system, and then design, build, and optimize a circuit in order to meet the criteria of obtaining a certain voltage. Students will also explore the ethical implications of neural engineering devices. Some of the lessons in this unit feature special equipment, including an EMG gripper hand, chemical solutions, and labware, and require access to a chemistry wet lab.The lessons were developed by Paul Zimmer of South Kitsap High School and Denise Thompson of Orting High School as part of the 2015 Research Experience for Teachers program at the Center for Neurotechnology (University of Washington). Read More Q&A0
Building Artificial Neural Networks with Arduinos (A 1-2 Week Curriculum Unit for Biology & AP Biology Classes) PostedNovember 6, 2019 UpdatedNovember 6, 2019 Posted byKristen Bergsman http://centerforneurotech.org/building-artificial-neural-networks In this unit, students will explore the applications of artificial neural networks. Students will learn about the history of artificial intelligence, explore the concept of neural networks through activities and computer simulation, and then construct a simple, three-level artificial neural network using Arduinos to simulate neurons. After building the network, they will be challenged to discover how altering the connections or programming of the “neurons” alters the behavior of the network. Finally, students will explore the ethical implications of neural engineering and building artificially intelligent machines. Some of the lessons in this unit feature special equipment, including Arduino Uno microcontrollers, and circuitry components.The lessons were developed by Lawrence Bencivengo Jr. of Mercer Island High School and Benjamin Hart of Redmond High School as part of the 2015 Research Experience for Teachers program at the Center for Neurotechnology (University of Washington). Read More Q&A0
Neural Engineering and Ethical Implications (A 1-Week Curriculum Unit for Middle & High School STEM Classes) PostedNovember 6, 2019 UpdatedNovember 6, 2019 Posted byKristen Bergsman http://centerforneurotech.org/education-k-12-lesson-plans/neural-engineering-and... Using neuroethics as a common theme, this one-week, five-lesson unit provides an overview of a broad range of neural engineering topics including the human nervous system, electrophysiology, the history of neural engineering, medical devices, and the ethical implications of these emerging technologies.The lessons were developed by Alison Farrell and Michaela Ranz of the Attic Learning Community (Woodinville, Wash.) as part of the 2015 Research Experience for Teachers program at the Center for Neurotechnology (University of Washington). Read More Q&A0
Introduction to Neural Engineering (Curriculum Unit for Middle and High School STEM Classes) PostedNovember 6, 2019 UpdatedNovember 6, 2019 Posted byKristen Bergsman http://centerforneurotech.org/education-k-12-lesson-plans/introduction-neural-en... This 4-5 week, 11-lesson unit, aimed at high school students and advanced middle school students, provides an introduction to the exciting world of neuroprosthetics and brain-computer interfaces. Using a project-based learning approach, students tackle the skill set of neural engineers—using science, research, technology and programming—to model and improve upon a neuroprosthetic device aimed at helping to improve the quality of life for people with neurological disorders.The lessons were developed by Claudia Lemus and Angelica Sauceda, TAF Academy (Kent, Wash.), Renee Poitras, Kent-Meridian High School (Kent, Wash.), and Steve Pratt, Cleveland High School (Seattle, Wash.) as part of the Center for Neurotechnology's Research Experience for Teachers program at the University of Washington.Some of the lessons in this unit require special equipment, including SpikerBoxes, Arduino Unos and electronics. Read More Q&A0
Modeling and Designing a Sensory Substitution Device (4-5 week STEAM Curriculum Unit for Middle School) PostedOctober 23, 2019 UpdatedOctober 23, 2019 Posted byKristen Bergsman http://centerforneurotech.org/education-k-12-lesson-plans/sensory-substitution-d... Bring neural engineering into your middle school science classroom with this STEAM curriculum unit! Students will learn about the basic structure and function of the nervous system, explore the relationship between electrical circuits and the nervous system, and then construct a simple, sensory substitution device with Arduino microprocessors and breadboards, used in aiding individuals with a missing or impaired sense. After building the device, students will test and present a work-in-progress prototype to peers, and then modify the design based on the test results and peer feedback. Finally, students will explore other perspectives, including the needs of end-users, budget, type of materials, ease of use, maintenance, and accessibility. These lessons were developed by Phelana Pang of Seattle Girls School as part of the Research Experience for Teachers program at the Center for Neurotechnology (University of Washington). Read More Q&A0
Circuits for Neurodevices (High School Physics 2-week Curriculum Unit) PostedOctober 23, 2019 UpdatedOctober 23, 2019 Posted byKristen Bergsman http://centerforneurotech.org/education-k-12-lesson-plans/circuits-neurodevices Bring neural engineering into your high school physics classroom! In this 2-week long curriculum unit, students will investigate the phenomena of a how neurodevices work, bringing together electrical circuitry with the human nervous system. In this case, the human nervous system offers an input (such as a biosignal) that is used to control a machine or computer. Neurodevices, such as brain-computer interfaces, are technologies arising from the field of neural engineering. Students use SnapCircuit kits to design and build models of neurodevices. This unit includes: Lesson 1 The Nervous System; Lesson 2 Circuits vs. the Nervous System; Lesson 3 Neuroethics; Lesson 4 Productive Uncertainty in Science and Engineering; Lesson 5 Device Design Challenges; and Lesson 6 Design Challenge Presentations. This curriculum unit was authored by Sadie Frady of Bethel High School (Spanaway, WA) as part of the Research for Teachers program at the Center for Neurotechnology (University of Washington). Read More Q&A0