Our Bodies Have Computers and Sensors
One way to look at the human body is as if it was an amazingly sophisticated computer system with sensors.Copyright 2006 Persian Poet Gal, Wikipedia (left), 2005 Gnsin, Wikimedia Commons {PD} (right) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nervous_system_diagram.png http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HONDA_ASIMO.jpg
Students learn about the human body's system components, specifically its sensory systems, nervous system and brain, while comparing them to robot system components, such as sensors and computers.
Comparing neuroscience and engineering shows us the functional similarities between the human brain and human-made computers, sensors and robots. Electrical, mechanical and biological engineers apply mathematical principles similar to those used in human brains and systems as they devise improved robots, computers and sensors. With the growing popularity of the biological engineering and systems neurobiology fields, engineers are becoming more involved in human body research involving efforts to replicate the functioning of many of human systems. For example, engineers are designing walking robots with artificial organs, such as heart and liver, and bio-sensors, such as for detecting sugar levels for diabetics.
Students will develop an understanding of the attributes of design.
Grades K-12
Do you agree with this alignment?Students will develop an understanding of the characteristics and scope of technology.
Grades K-12
Do you agree with this alignment?Students will develop an understanding of the relationships among technologies and the connections between technology and other fields of study.
Grades K-12
Do you agree with this alignment?
Describe how new technologies have helped scientists make better observations and measurements for investigations (e.g., telescopes, electronic balances, electronic microscopes, x-ray technology, computers, ultrasounds, computer probes such as thermometers)
Grade 5
Do you agree with this alignment?Explain the interactions between the nervous and muscular systems when an organism responds to a stimulus
Grade 8
Do you agree with this alignment?Advances in technology often result in improved data collection and an increase in scientific information
Grades 6-8
Do you agree with this alignment?
MS-LS1-8 Gather and synthesize information that sensory receptors respond to stimuli by sending messages to the brain for immediate behavior or storage as memories.
Grades 6-8
This resource focuses on the following Three Dimensional Learning aspects of NGSS:
Science & Engineering Practices- Gather, read, and synthesize information from multiple appropriate sources and assess the credibility, accuracy, and possible bias of each publication and methods used, and describe how they are supported or not supported by evidence.Do you agree with this alignment?
Disciplinary Core Ideas- Each sense receptor responds to different inputs (electromagnetic, mechanical, chemical), transmitting them as signals that travel along nerve cells to the brain. The signals are then processed in the brain, resulting in immediate behaviors or memories.Do you agree with this alignment?
Crosscutting Concepts- Cause and effect relationships may be used to predict phenomena in natural systems.Do you agree with this alignment?
Do you agree with this alignment?- Gather, read, and synthesize information from multiple appropriate sources and assess the credibility, accuracy, and possible bias of each publication and methods used, and describe how they are supported or not supported by evidence.
Conduct the lessons and activities in the following order:
- Lesson 1: Brain is a Computer --> Activity 1: That's Hot! Robot Brain Programming
- Lesson 2: Humans and Robot Sensors --> Activity 2: Commanding a Robot Using Sound --> Activity 3: Hearing: How Do Our Ears Work? --> Activity 4: Sound from Left or Right?
- Lesson 3: Reflecting on Human Reflexes --> Activity 5: Pupillary Response & Test Your Reaction Time
Contributors
Sachin Nair; Charlie Franklin; Marianne Catanho; Satish Nair
Supporting Program
GK-12 Program, Computational Neurobiology Center, College of Engineering, University of Missouri
Acknowledgements
This curriculum was developed under National Science Foundation GK-12 grant number DGE 0440524. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the National Science Foundation, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
Copyright
2013 by Regents of the University of Colorado; original © 2012 Curators of the University of Missouri