Book: How Your Brain Works

• Human
• Grade 9+

Electroencephalogram (EEG) Record from the Human Brain

Our brain is incredibly complex, yet measuring its electrical activity can be surprisingly accessible!

• Human
• Grade 4+

Electromyography (EMG) : Hear and See Muscles in Action

Explore how neurons in your brain control muscle movements, powering every step, jump, and dance.

• Invertebrate
• Grade 4+

Spikes! Hear and See Living Neurons

Learn how neurons send signals by exploring cockroach nervous system activity driving movement.

• Human
• Grade 4+

Heart Action Potentials: EKG

Our hearts beat continuously to power our circulatory system, and if we listen closely, we can actually see and hear the electrical impulses that drive each contraction.

• Invertebrate
• Grade 9+

How Fast Are Neurons? (Conduction Velocity)

Explore how fast signals travel in nerves by measuring spike conduction velocity using an earthworm model.

• Human
• Grade 6+

Muscle Fatigue

Ever wonder why your muscles start burning and shaking when you do those last few reps at the gym?

• Invertebrate
• Grade 6+

Neuron Stimulation

Test if alternating electrical currents, like from earbuds, can stimulate a cockroach leg after recording neuron signals.

• Invertebrate
• Grade 9+

Referencing Your Spikes

Why do we need more than one electrode to measure neural activity? In this experiment, you’ll explore the role of reference electrodes and how their placement affects recordings.

• Plant
• Grade 6+

Venus Flytrap Electrophysiology

Electrical impulses aren’t exclusive to animals. Plants like the Venus Flytrap also use electricity to interact with their environment.

• Human
• Grade 6+

Visual-Motor Reaction Time

How fast can you react? Here we explore visual reaction time—the interval between seeing a stimulus and responding with movement.