Skip to main content

Action Potential Lesson using Educreations

Mr. Strand's class used the app Educreations to make videos explaining their lesson on action potential.   I totally had to email Mr. Strand and see exactly what the kids had to do - he gave me a "simple" version which is what I need, and then he gave me the "science" version, which is what some of you might need:):

Simple version

The students had to draw and explain how our nervous system sends and receives messages via something called an action potential.  To do this they had to understand both the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of neurons and how they connect at a synapse.  The whole system works because nerve cells are both "irritable" meaning that they can detect/respond to a stimulus and "conductive" meaning that they can transmit impulses.  Because of these two properties our nervous system is able to sense and respond to thousands of different complex stimuli all at the same time.

More complex, detailed, sciency version
They had to draw and explain how nerve cells communicate by sending electrical impulses which is called an action potential.  Synapses are places where two nerve cells communicate with each other using chemicals called neurotransmitters.  These neurotransmitters are detected by the receiving neuron (nerve cell) and that initiates the action potential (explained shortly).  When the neuron is at rest (not being stimulated) there charge difference between the inside and the outside of the nerve cell membrane.  The outside of the membrane has a high amount of Sodium ions which are positively charged (Na+).  This makes the outside have a slight positive charge.  The inside of the cell membrane by comparison is slightly negatively charged.  When the receiving neuron detects the neurotransmitter it becomes "switched on" and begins to send its message by allowing sodium to pass through the membrane down the length of the cell.  The sodium makes the inside of the membrane positively charged and that positive charge is carried down the nerve.  This positive charge ends up reaching the end of the nerve (axon terminal) where more neurotransmitter is released and the signal gets passed on to the next nerve via the release of neurotransmitters again.

Regardless of the version - here is the student sample: 

Make it a great day,
Mrs. I:)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Resources Compiled for COVID-19

Here is a PLETHORA of resources that I have been compiling as we are dealing with teaching during COVID-19.  Use what you can - search and seek - I am going to just COPY AND PASTE - so the links might not be active:) Video/Podcast Options: Zoom!: This program allows you to video conference with up to 100 people.  HOWEVER, I feel this one is NOT the best for large groups, BUT, would be awesome to do with one on one or small group work, or recording videos to upload to Schoology.  Create an account and download this to your Macbook here, https://zoom.us/ and the students will have the app. Zoom How To: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-fnwZGctrFlE-Ho8Y5C_v8Hit7KdSnvW Explain Everything App : You can teach just about anything you would want, especially math, with this app.  This app allows you to import pictures, files, etc.. and then voice over it, even drawing if needed, to create a video.  Simply upload to YouTube, share the link and done!! Screen Capture with Quick

I LIED!!! I TAKE THE THANK YOU TO APPLE BACK:(!!! UGH!!!

  All went well yesterday after we had done the Apple Configurator update - here were a few that we had to put into recovery mode, etc... which wasn't GREAT- but worked alright.  Students had to put in email address again as well as Schoology, no big deal.  Some lost their camera roll pictures - not the TOTAL end of the world.  But TODAY - 5 kids have LOST EVERYTHING!!! UGH!!  I don't do ANYTHING different with these iPads that I don't do with the others that have worked fine - so WHY?????????????  A senior girl and a freshman boy lost EVERYTHING!  It COMPLETELY WIPED their iPads and reinstalled ALL again - WHY???????????  I want to call Apple but I am TOO MAD to call as I wouldn't be anything tactful at all - so I sit and ponder what it might be - maybe I should use another word than Ponder, I guess they're throwing him back in next week, huh??:):)  I just don't know what to do.  AND the part that gets me the MOST is Apple KNOWS that schools across the country

Ways to Use Technology.....

   Below are some links that show and list different ways that you can use iPads and other technologies in your classrooms and some additional tips and tricks with the iPad 2 in case you still need some refreshers.  Take a peek - you might find a great, fun new way to do something or learn something new. 50 ways 50 iPad 2 Tips & Tricks Lesson Ideas 15 Ways to Use the iPads in the Classroom GOOD LUCK TROJANS!!! Football tonight and Volleyball tomorrow night - not only do we have great things happening with iPads, we have just GREAT things happening in Barnesville!!! Have a great one and cheer LOUD Mrs. I:)