Thanks to the EJ Kunkle Innovation Grant, Moravian Academy third and fifth grade students enjoyed a very stimulating (pun intended) experience! 

The students learned that electrical signals travel through motor neurons to contract various muscles in the body. With our new Human to Human Interface, made by Backyard Brains, our students and teachers had a unique opportunity to use their brains to control another person’s arm!

Yes, it’s true! This instrument receives electrical signals from the “master,” via strategically placed electrodes, processes and amplifies the signal, and delivers the message to the “minion’s” arm through electrodes that stimulate the ulnar nerve. With some tingling sensations and nervous laughter, the experience begins.

As the “master” flexes their wrist strongly, the potentiometer is carefully adjusted by Mr. Pomeroy, until the “minion” begins to feel a tingling sensation. With one more small adjustment, Mr. Pomeroy instructs the “master” to flex again and the “minion’s” hand and wrist contort on their own! The master has now gained control of the minion’s arm!

Repeated OOOOH’s and AAAAAH’s resonated through the science lab along with the astonishment of the “minion.” All of the students had a chance to watch and participate with the Human to Human Interface. It clearly demonstrates how electrical messages can be captured from one person and delivered to another to elicit an involuntary contraction of the voluntary muscles of another person.

Our third graders and fifth graders are both learning about the nervous system but at different scaffolded levels. While this stimulating activity was the same for both grade levels, they were able to attach different levels of meaning and understanding to their experience.

On behalf of the Moravian Academy Community, especially our third and fifth graders, we are grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Kunkle for establishing the Innovation Grant that made this purchase and experience possible. It is unique experiences like this that make for lasting memories!