verizon PICO3 Looking Inside Cells VR User Guide
- June 14, 2024
- Verizon
Table of Contents
verizon PICO3 Looking Inside Cells VR
Product Information
Specifications
- Product Name: Looking Inside: Cells VR app
- Compatibility : PICO 3 or Quest headset
- Access : Verizon Innovative Learning HQ at https://www.verizon.com/learning
Product Usage Instructions
Segment 1: Introduction to Neurons
- Objective: Students will be able to identify how nerve cells work together to send sensory information to the brain.
- Pacing: This segment should take approximately 45 minutes.
Essential Question: How do nerve cells work together to send information?
- Engage: (15 minutes)
- Introduce the nerve cell diagram and lead a discussion about the structure and function of nerve cells (neurons).
- Ask questions to stimulate thinking
- What do nerve cells do? What is their job?
- What parts does this diagram show that are different from other cells we’ve seen?
- How do you think those parts help a nerve cell to do its job?
- Summarize key points about neuron function
- Nerve cells send information from the body to the brain (and from the brain to the body)
- Nerve cells work together by passing signals from one to another
- Nerve cells receive signals at the dendrites and pass the signal along the axon; at the end of the axon the signal jumps across a gap (the synapse) to the dendrite of another nerve cell
- Explore: (20 minutes)
- Introduce the nerve cell relay: students will play the role of nerve cells to model how signals are passed from one nerve cell to the next.
- Distribute role signs to students and have students form nerve cells consisting of one dendrite, one cell body, and two to four axons.
- Explain the rules of the relay
- Give a container of signal balls to the first dendrite.
- Time the group for two minutes; count the number of successful signals received at the end.
FAQ
- Q: How do I access the Looking Inside: Cells VR app?
- A: You can access the app via Verizon Innovative Learning HQ at https://www.verizon.com/learning. Make sure you have a PICO 3 or Quest headset.
- Q: What are the objectives of this lesson?
- A: The objectives are to explore models of how nerve cells work together to send signals and develop a model of a nerve cell network.
- Q: What materials and preparation do I need for this lesson?
- A: Prepare signs for students to wear during the relay to identify their roles in the cell. For a class of 24, make the following signs: Dendrite (4), Cell body (4), Axon (16). Also, make available any materials students used in Lesson 3 for developing their cell models.
Curriculum Guide/Lesson Plan
Cells and Models: Modeling Cell Systems – Extension 2 of 2
In this lesson, students explore models of how nerve cells work together to
send signals and develop their own model of a nerve cell network. This is an
extension of the Cell and Models lesson module.
- Subject Area : Biology
- Grade Level : 6 – 9
- App : Looking Inside: Cells
- Learning Standards : NGSS SEP-2 – Developing and Using Models, MS-LS1-2, MS-LS1-8
How to Access the App
First, access the Looking Inside: Cells VR app via Verizon Innovative
Learning HQ at https://www.verizon.com/learning. Then, experience the app
via PICO 3 or Quest headset.
Overview
In the three-lesson module Cells and Models, students explore the use of
models in science as they compare the benefits and limitations of various
representations of an animal cell, including the Looking Inside: Cells
app, and develop a cell model of their own. In this extension lesson, students
use the example of nerve cell networks to explore modeling of multi-cell
systems.
- Students will be able to identify how nerve cells work together to send sensory information to the brain.
- Students will be able to evaluate the benefits and limitations of models representing nerve cell systems.
- Students will be able to create a model representing the transmission of information through a network of nerve cells.
Essential Question
- How do nerve cells work together to send information?
- What are the benefits and limitations of different models of nerve cell networks?
- How do we create an effective model of a nerve cell network?
Materials and Preparation
Segment 1: Introduction to Neurons
- Have a simple diagram of a neuron available for students to observe, either digitally or on paper. (See the Brain Cells slide deck for examples.)
- Gather the materials for the nerve cell relay
- 30 ping-pong balls, bean bags, or similar objects
- 5 large bowls or bins
- Yarn, paper, and hole punch, or other materials for making student role signs (see below)
- Stopwatch or timer
Prepare signs for students to wear during the relay to identify their roles in the cell. For a class of 24, make the following
- Dendrite (4)
- Cell body (4)
- Axon (16)
Segment 2: Evaluating Models of Neuron Networks
- Students will need internet-connected devices to access the Build Your Network interactive.
- (Optional) Find and make available 1 – 2 other examples of neuron network models, such as video simulations or physical models.
Segment 3: Developing a Neuron Network Model
Make available any materials students used in Lesson 3 for developing their
cell models.
Vocabulary
- Neurons: nerve cells; cells of the brain that carry signals to other parts of the brain
- Dendrites: located near the cell body; detect messages from other neurons
- Cell body: command center of the neuron; contains the nucleus
- Axon: long extension from cell body through which electrical signal is carried; sends information to other neurons
- Synapses: connections between neurons
Step-by-step classroom guide
Segment 1: Introduction to Neurons
- Access: The Looking Inside: Cells app is not required for this segment.
- Objective: Students will be able to identify how nerve cells work together to send sensory information to the brain.
- Pacing: This segment should take approximately 45 minutes.
- Essential Question: How do nerve cells work together to send information?
Engage: 15 minutes
- Introduce the nerve cell diagram and lead a discussion about the structure and function of nerve cells (neurons): What do nerve cells do? What is their job?
- What parts does this diagram show that are different from other cells we’ve seen?
- How do you think those parts help a nerve cell to do its job?
Summarize key points about neuron function
- Nerve cells send information from the body to the brain (and from the brain to the body)
- Nerve cells work together by passing signals from one to another
- Nerve cells receive signals at the dendrites and pass the signal along the axon; at the end of the axon the signal jumps across a gap (the synapse) to the dendrite of another nerve cell
Explore: 20 minutes
- Introduce the nerve cell relay: students will play the role of nerve cells to model how signals are passed from one nerve cell to the next. Distribute role signs to students and have students form “nerve cells” consisting of one dendrite, one cell body and two to four axons.
- Give each dendrite a bowl or bin. Ask students in each “cell” to stand in a line approximating the structure of a neuron: dendrite – cell body – axon – axon – axon. Each cell group should stand so that the last axon is 2 – 3 feet away from the dendrite of the next cell.
Explain the rules of the relay
- Ping-pong balls represent signals being passed along the cells. The goal of the game is to send as many signals as possible through all four cells to their final destination in the brain.
- When the dendrite receives a signal ball in their bowl, they pass it to the cell body, who passes it to the first axon, etc. The last axon in each cell must toss the signal ball across the gap (synapse) into the bowl of the next cell’s dendrite.
- Dendrites may not start passing a new signal ball until the previous ball has left their cell. Balls that are dropped or miss their target may not be picked up; that signal is lost.
- The final axon of the fourth cell tosses the ball into a bowl representing the signal’s destination in the brain.
Give a container of signal balls to the first dendrite. Time the group for two
minutes; count the number of successful signals received at the end.
(Optional) As time allows, ask students to suggest changes you could make to
your relay set-up and predict how it would affect the number of successful
signals getting through. Discuss how the changes might relate to actual nerve
cell networks. Incorporate a change and repeat the relay to test their
hypotheses.
Reflect: 10 minutes
Lead a discussion of students’ observations about the relay and connect them
to the function of neuron networks
- What parts of the relay were the hardest?
- Where did the signal slow down or get stuck? Where did it move quickly?
- What does this game show us about how nerve cells send signals to the brain?
- What parts of the game are like what happens in actual nerve cells? What parts might be missing or inaccurate?
Segment 2: Evaluating Models of Neuron Networks
- Access: The Looking Inside: Cells app is not required for this segment.
- Students can access the Build Your Network interactive on internet-connected devices at https://www.fi.edu/your-brain/interactives/build-your-network.
- Objective: Students will be able to evaluate the benefits and limitations of models representing nerve cell systems.
- Pacing: This segment should take approximately 45 minutes.
- Essential Question: What are the benefits and limitations of different models of nerve cell networks?
-
Engage: 5 minutes
Review the charts developed in Lessons 1 and 2 of the purposes, benefits, and limitations of models. Discuss how these relate to models of cell systems- Which of these might be more important when thinking about groups of cells working together?
- Are there any that might be less important?
- Is there anything we should add to these lists for thinking about cell systems?
-
Explore: 30 minutes
Invite students to explore the Build Your Network interactive, along with any other neuron network models you have provided. For each model, including the relay game from Segment 1, ask them to evaluate how that model represents neurons and neuron systems using these questions- What parts of the neuron (nerve cell) does the model show?
- How does it represent them? (What do they look like or how are they described?)
- What does it show about how neurons interact or work together?
- Benefits: What does this model help you understand about how nerve cells work together? In what situations would this model be most useful?
- Limitations: What does this model not show, or show inaccurately? When or how would a model like this be less useful?
-
Reflect: 10 minutes
- Lead a discussion on the similarities and differences among the neuron system models.
- What did the models have in common?
- What parts of a neuron system did some models show that others did not?
- When might you choose to use one of these models rather than another? Why?
- Is there anything else we should add to our lists about the benefits and limitations of models for systems of cells working together?
Segment 3: Developing a Neuron Network Model
- Access: The Looking Inside: Cells app is not required for this segment.
- Objective: Students will be able to create a model representing the transmission of information through a network of nerve cells.
- Pacing: This segment should take approximately 45 minutes plus independent student work time, either in class or out of class.
Essential Question: How do we create an effective model of a nerve cell network?
-
Engage: 5 minutes
Introduce the project: students will work independently or in groups to create a model of a neuron network that shows how neurons connect and work together to send signals to the brain. They may choose to expand on the general cell model they built for Lesson 3 or use a different format. -
Explore: 20 minutes + independent work time
- Ask students to create a plan for their neuron network models, using the following questions
- What parts of a neuron do you think are important to include in your model?
- How could you represent each of them?
- How will you show how neurons work together?
- Allow students independent work time, either in additional class periods or outside of class, to design and complete their models.
-
Reflect: 20 minutes
Invite students to briefly share their neuron network models. Discuss students’ observations and conclusions- What similarities and differences did you notice between our models?
- How do our models compare to the examples we looked at earlier?
- How is modeling systems of cells similar to modeling an individual cell? How is it different?
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