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Invertebrates
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Grade 4+
Neuron SpikerBox
See and hear real neurons firing — live, in your classroom.
The Neuron SpikerBox lets students record actual action potentials from invertebrate neurons. This is real electrophysiology — the same technique used in research labs around the world — made accessible for classrooms, homeschools, and curious minds.
Key features:
- Records real action potentials (spikes) from cockroach leg neurons
- Built-in speaker — hear each spike as it fires
- Connects to laptops, smartphones, and tablets for visual recording via Spike Recorder software
- Beginner-friendly yet powerful enough for undergraduate and graduate research
What's included:
- Neuron SpikerBox unit
- Recording electrode (silver wire)
- USB cable
- Cork board and pins for preparation
What students learn:
- What a real action potential looks and sounds like
- How neurons encode information through firing rate
- Thresholds, refractory periods, and rate coding
- Foundation for advanced topics: neuropharmacology, sensory coding, neural adaptation
Who it's for:
- AP Biology, anatomy, and neuroscience classrooms
- Undergraduate teaching labs
- Science fair projects
- Anyone who wants to experience real neuroscience, not just read about it
As seen in Greg Gage's TED Talks — the tool that started the Backyard Brains movement. Pairs with cockroaches (sold separately) and the Neuropharmacology Kit for expanded experiments.
🎥 As featured in our award-winning TED Series! Watch the SpikerBox in action on DIY Neuroscience.
Qty
$249.99
In stock
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\n More Experiments
EMG
Prosthetics
DIY Neuroprosthetic Hand
Build a servo-powered prosthetic hand that closes when forearm EMG crosses a threshold, then tune sensitivity and timing like a real neuroengineering control system.
EMG
Launcher
Spiker-Man Web Flinger
Turn forearm EMG into a wearable servo trigger, connecting muscle recruitment, threshold code, and a dramatic MakeCode-controlled web launcher.
EMG
Maze
Muscle Maze
Map muscle intensity to servo motion and steer a physical marble maze, giving students a tactile way to debug thresholds, latency, and motor control.
EMG
Typing
MyoTyper
Use EMG pulses as an accessible text-entry switch, then explore how timing, false positives, and signal fatigue shape real assistive-device design.
EOG
Alertness
The Snooze Smacker
Use eye-closure signals to trigger a servo response, then tune the delay so students can reason about EOG thresholds, attention, and signal noise.
EOG
Blinks
BlinkBit
Convert eye blinks and eye movements into micro:bit inputs, opening projects around communication, switching, and the difference between EMG and EOG signals.
EKG
Heart
Heart Signal ECG
Place electrodes in a simple Einthoven triangle, switch Spiker:bit into heart recording, and graph rhythmic heartbeat spikes in MakeCode before turning them into micro:bit inputs.
EMG
Reaction
Cowboy Duel
Build a two-player reaction game where muscle activation, timing windows, and micro:bit logic decide who fired first after the signal.
EMG
Game
Dino Jump
Make a browser game jump from an EMG flex by turning muscle threshold crossings into a physical button press students can see, adjust, and test. -
- 1x Neuron SpikerBox
- 1x 2-Channel Recording Pin Electrodes
- 1x Blue USB Cable
- 1x Red Stimulation Cable
- 1x 9V Battery
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App
BYB Spike Recorder
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Schematic
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