Empathize
Students will explore the role of sensory receptors by researching and gathering information on how humans respond to stimuli, conducting initial experiments to observe sensory reactions, and creating visual models to illustrate their understanding of brain message processing.
Days 1 - 3
Meet the Senses in Action
Launch 45m
Senses Scavenger Hunt Receptors Roles
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
Receptor Types and Signal Pathways
Knowledge/Skill Building 40m
Define
Students will collaborate in pairs to synthesize their research on sensory receptors, utilizing provided resources to construct a clear and actionable problem statement that connects the essential question to real-world applications, preparing them for ideation and prototyping in subsequent phases.
Days 4 - 6
Draft Problem Statement With Partners
Project Work 60m
Create Visuals to Explain Signals
Project Work 50m
Frame Senses Problem
Deliverable
Ideate
Students will brainstorm and generate a variety of creative ways to illustrate how different sensory receptors process stimuli, working collaboratively to design trial experiments and representations that explore responses to diverse sensory inputs.
Days 7 - 10
Intro to Sensory Receptor Functions
Knowledge/Skill Building 50m
Collaborative Brainstorming and Receptor Trial Plans
Project Work 50m
Sketch and Justify Receptor Illustrations
Project Work 50m
Concept Sketches and Rationale
Deliverable
Prototype
Students will construct prototypes of their sensory receptor demonstrations, apply insights from their experiments and research, engage in peer-to-peer feedback cycles, and refine their prototypes for effectiveness and clarity in preparation for exhibition day presentations.
Days 11 - 15
Introduction to Receptors: Functions and Signals
Knowledge/Skill Building 60m
Prototype Design for Receptor Demonstrations
Project Work 60m
Peer Feedback Protocols for Prototyping
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
Prototype Iteration: Refine Receptor Demonstrations
Project Work 60m
Prototype Iteration Log
Deliverable
User Testing Report
Deliverable
Test/Present
Students will conduct a demonstration of their chosen sensory receptor, collect data through interactive trials, synthesize findings in a one-pager pamphlet, and present evocative models and journals, effectively communicating their understanding of sensory input and its influence on behavior during the exhibition day.
Days 16 - 20
15 min over capacity (225 min available across 5 days)
Design Reproducible Sensory Trial Protocols
Knowledge/Skill Building 60m
Conduct Sensory Receptor Demonstrations and Data
Project Work 60m
Synthesize Results into One-Page Pamphlet
Knowledge/Skill Building 60m
Practice Presentations and Final Nervous Exhibit
Project Work 60m
Nervous System Exhibition
Assessment