Traumatic Brain Injury: A Neural Network Journey
A 4-5 Week Curriculum Unit for Middle and High School Science Classes
Grades: Six to 12
This seven-lesson unit, aimed at middle school and high school students, provides background in neuroanatomy, neuroscience, and neural engineering with a special focus on traumatic brain injury.
The unit culminates in a script writing exercise, with students composing a special report on traumatic brain injury. Students will build models, field webquests, conduct research, and take part in hands-on investigations. All lesson plans are aligned to the Washington State K-12 Science Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and Common Core State Standards.
The plans were created by Michael Shaw, Cleveland High School (Seattle, Wash.), and Shannon Jephson-Hernandez, Mill Creek Middle School (Kent, Wash.) as part of the CNT Research Experience for Teachers program.
- Introduction and Table of Contents
- Lesson 1: Introduction to the Nervous System
- Lesson 2: Macro Brain
- Lesson 3: Neurons and Synapses | Lesson 3 Slide Deck
- Lesson 4: Reaction Time – Action Potential Lab
- Lesson 5: Networks and Systems
- Lesson 6: Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury
- Lesson 7: Script Writing Skills Workshop