The Nervous system comprises our brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves that innervate our whole body. It can be broken down into the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (nerves). The brain consists of trillions of connections (called synapses) between neurons. Chemical electric impulses are firing throughout our brain, which transmits everything from memories, language, ideas, movement, and more. When an electrical impulse is used to move our body, that impulse goes from our brain through our spinal cord (which acts as a neural highway) to the body part we want to move. It is incredible how fast this system works. A single impulse travels several hundred miles an hour!

In this lesson, the students will become nerve cells that race each other to see who can transmit their message the fastest. After each game, a small change will be made to the losing neuron team, inevitably making them faster. This game will help the students learn the parts of a neuron and how they function.

Materials: 

·      Two basketballs or large sports balls

·      Lots of tennis balls (around 30)

·      Two hula hoops

·      Two basketball hoops or large containers to shoot the basketballs into

Minimum Number of Students Needed: This lesson requires at least twelve students to play effectively (six per team). More students can always be added to the axon at the beginning of the game.

Age: All Ages