Bring Neuroscienceto Your A&P Classroom

Upgrade your Anatomy & Physiology course with hands-on neuroscience experiments that meet Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) standards. How Your Brain Works, the acclaimed Backyard Brains neuroscience book, includes over 45 ready-to-run experiments to deepen understanding of nervous and muscular systems . All activities are HAPS-aligned, ensuring they fit seamlessly into your curriculum for maximum credibility and relevance . Empower your A&P students to explore real nerve signals, muscle activity, and brain waves – making physiology come alive in the classroom.

Engaging A&P Students with Neurophysiology

Traditional A&P classes often rely on lectures and static models, leaving students disengaged when covering complex neurophysiology. Key concepts – from nerve impulses to muscle contractions – can seem abstract without real examples. Educators struggle to find labs that are stimulating yet curriculum-aligned. According to HAPS, active, kinesthetic learning is crucial for topics like action potentials , but many A&P courses lack the tools for hands-on neuroscience. The result? Missed opportunities to connect textbook concepts to living physiology, and students who remain passive learners.

Backyard Brains provides the solution: affordable, easy-to-use neuroscience kits that bring human physiology to life. Each experiment directly reinforces A&P topics and meets HAPS Learning Outcomes for anatomy and physiology . You get plug-and-play labs developed by neuroscientists and educators, so you can confidently integrate them knowing they cover required curriculum content. Say goodbye to abstract theory – and hello to students recording their own muscle signals, brain waves, and heart rhythms in real time.

• Designed for A&P Courses: Backyard Brains tools are “perfect for teachers who want to include neuroscience in their … Anatomy & Physiology … courses” . Every experiment maps onto a standard A&P unit (nervous system, muscular system, etc.), adding a dynamic lab that complements your existing lessons.
• HAPS Standards Alignment: The experiments align with HAPS-endorsed topics like neurophysiology and muscle physiology, enhancing core concepts you already teach . A recent study even confirmed that eight key labs (ECG, EMG, EEG, EOG) from Backyard Brains fully meet HAPS standards , so you can enrich your course and check off learning objectives simultaneously.
• Hands-On Learning Impact: By engaging students in active experimentation, you address HAPS’s emphasis on experiential learning. The HAPS committee suggests using kinesthetic demos to boost understanding of neural signals – exactly what Backyard Brains labs provide. Students don’t just memorize physiology; they experience it, which research shows leads to better retention and enthusiasm.

Backyard Brains

Human SpikerBox

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Integrated Neuroscience Experiments for A&P Courses

• Muscle Physiology (EMG) – Students use the Human SpikerBox to record their own muscle activity, visualizing motor unit recruitment and muscle fatigue in real-time. Perfect for reinforcing neuromuscular function in the muscular system unit.
• Neural Signals (Spikes) – The Neuron SpikeBox records live action potentials from a cockroach leg or earthworm nerve, illustrating neuron firing in a nervous system unit, neuropharmacology and more.
• Brain Activity (EEG) – With the Human SpikerBox, students record their own EEG signals, observing real-time changes in brain wave patterns—ideal for neuroanatomy and special senses topics.
• Cardiovascular & sympathetic nervous system (ECG) – Students record EKG signals to analyze heart function and stress responses.
• Human-Human Interface —an unforgettable demonstration of nervous system control. Students control a peer’s muscle via nerve signals

• HAPS-Certified Alignment – Experiments reinforce key HAPS A&P learning objectives, from neuromuscular function to cardiovascular physiology.
• Developed by Neuroscientists – Designed by Ph.D. neuroscientists and featured by TED, NPR, and top science journals.
• Adopted Worldwide – Used by high school, college, and university A&P instructors to boost student engagement and understanding.
• Cross-Aligned – Supports NGSS and AP Anatomy standards, making it a robust choice for diverse A&P courses.

1️⃣ Pick an Experiment – Select one of the 8 neuroscience lab aligned to your A&P unit.

2️⃣ Engage Students – Simple plug-and-play setup gets students recording live physiological data in minutes.

3️⃣ Reinforce Learning – Connect experimental data to core A&P concepts with guided discussions and assessments