Backyard Brains: Bringing Neurophysiology Into Secondary Schools

描述(申请人提供)：对于专业神经学家和普通大众来说，理解大脑仍然是一个巨大的挑战。神经系统极其复杂，这就是神经系统疾病广为人知且难以治疗的原因。有两种主要方法可以解决这个问题。一种方法是资助知名科学家研究他们特定的研究领域。另一种方法是通过提供教育科学设备和引人注目的实验来投资于未来工程师、科学家和医生的能力，这些实验使用简单的模型生物体教授神经科学原理。后一种方法取得进展的一个关键障碍是获得负担得起的工具和教案。为了满足这一需求，我们在第一阶段开发了1)“SpikerBox”：一种易于使用、价格低廉(100美元)、便携的生物放大器，可以检测和记录蟋蟀和蟑螂等无脊椎动物的尖峰活动(动作电位)；以及2)“RoboRoach”：一种用于研究昆虫行为的无线神经刺激器。我们已经使用这些设备设计了简单的实验，并开始在测试版高中考点部署它们。在第二阶段，我们现在的目标是：1.将学习材料和软件提高到可以让任何缺乏经验的高中生物教师在课堂上教授神经生理学实验的程度2.将下一代RoboRoach和SpikerBox商业化并部署，以便在高中课堂上的实验中具有更大的通用性3.商业化并部署我们的“光遗传学装置”，这是一种完全便携式的电生理学设备，能够在高中教室中进行果蝇的光遗传实验，因为神经科学是一个包括生物学、医学、数学和工程学的多学科领域，我们的“SpikerBox”，“RoboRoach”，而“光遗传”工具包及其相关的学习材料可能会提高STEM相关学科的表现，并激励下一代科学家和工程师。好了！

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Understanding the brain remains a great challenge both to professional neuroscientists and the general public alike. The nervous system is extremely complex, which is why neural diseases are notoriously widespread and difficult to treat. There are two main ways to solve this problem. One approach is to fund established scientists to research their particular field of study. An alternative way is to invest in the capabilities of future engineers, scientists, and physicians by providing educational science equipment and compelling experiments that teach principles of neuroscience using simple model organisms. A critical barrier to progress with this latter approach has been access to affordable tools and lesson plans. To address this need, we have developed in our Phase I the 1) "SpikerBox": a bio-amplifier that is easy-to-use, inexpensive (<$100), portable, and can detect and record the spiking activity (action potentials) of invertebrates such as crickets and cockroaches; and the 2) "RoboRoach": a wireless neural stimulator for investigating insect behavior. We have designed easy experiments using these pieces of equipment and have begun deploying them in beta high school test sites. In Phase II, we now aim to: 1. Enhance the learning materials and software to the degree that allows any high school biology teacher with little experience to teach neurophysiology experiments in the classroom 2. Commercialize and deploy the next generation RoboRoach and SpikerBox to allow for a greater versatility in experiments for high school classrooms 3. Commercialize and deploy our "OptoGenetics Rig," which is a fully portably miniature electrophysiology apparatus enabling optogenetic experiments in fruit flies in high school classrooms As neuroscience is a multi-disciplinary field encompassing biology, medicine, mathematics, and engineering, our "SpikerBox", "RoboRoach", and "Optogenetic" kits with their associated learning materials may have the effect of improving performance in STEM-related disciplines and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. !