Life and Physical Sciences

Overview and Time Arrangement

The Life and Physical Sciences module is provided as an additional exploration of science concepts encountered in a typical middle and high school lab sciences curriculum. Students have the opportunity to use their assembled STEM kits to investigate concepts and hands-on activities surrounding physics, energy and the human body. Each lesson is a stand alone activity that can be implemented in a science class investigating these topics.

This module is arranged into 4 modules of 50 minute long lessons. These classes can be implemented together with the other lessons in other modules in order to better understand fundamental scientific concepts that can be utilized in the final NeuroMaker Creative Challenge module. Otherwise these lessons can be used as independent units within Lab Science classes such as Physics, Natural Science or Biology.

Note: STEM kits must be fully assembled before these lessons can be utilized. Successful school implementations of these modules have arranged for assembly to be completed in one class and transferred to a Lab Science classroom when appropriate. Additionally, lessons one and three will require additional materials including small items for each hand to grasp (such as a plush stressball), a ruler, tape, paper towels, wax paper and other items available to grasp in the classroom. It is recommended that lesson one and lesson two are taught consecutively.

Big Ideas

• What forms of energy exist and how can we see them in the motions of a human hand?
• What are the Newtonian rules of physics and how can I see them in a real life context?
• How does the human hand relate to the overall anatomy of the human body and body systems?

Module Goals

By the end of each lesson, students will be able to apply a hands on activity to different conceptual elements of Lab Sciences. Students will either be able to complement the learning they are pursuing within their Lab Sciences classes or will be able to further investigate concepts that can be applied into a greater knowledge framework for an open build project.