Ready Recipe: The Science of Neurons
Model the interactions of neurons in an organism using Ready.
LEARNING OUTCOME
- Build a model of neurons and their functions.
- Apply computational thinking to the task, by making the model interact with the user.
- Apply two-dimensional physics to simulate the way neurons communicate.
- Differentiate between objects in “classes” (grouped into a single family of object) versus objects outside of classes.
- Apply basic mathematical principles of thresholds to stimulate, activate, and potentially exhaust, a muscular cell.
- Apply basic game mechanics to make the scene engaging.
- Personalize the scene with your own aesthetic, while conveying the core information.
ACTIVITY OBJECTIVE
- Place objects representing two neurons on the scene. (“soma”)
- Place two objects representing the input side of the neuron. (“dendrites”)
- Place two objects forming the output side of the neuron. (“axon” and “synapses”)
- Place two excitatory signals; one for each neuron. (“volts”)
- Place 1 receptor neuron connected to 1 muscle cell.
- Calculate threshold of voltage stimuli to activate muscle cell.
- Visually represent this chain of events.
- Stress the muscle cell to failure, optionally.
- Display informative text to the user, explaining each event as it occurs.
STARTER QUESTIONS
- How can we represent neurons and volts on the screen?
- What do you want to stimulate when a threshold is met?
CLOSING QUESTIONS
- Can you visualize connecting what you made to another series of neurons to build a more complex simulation?
- What are other types of cells that neurons can activate, and how might you model that in Ready?