Modules for K-12 Teachers

Contact:

Dan Dopp
dpd4k4@missouri.edu

The following modules are all at the peer-reviewed open journal portal TeachEngineering.org (supported by NSF). We utilize a neuro-robotics theme of comparing human brain/body systems to corresponding systems in robot/computer systems. The LEGO kits are engaging to youth and present an ideal platform for illustrating this theme.The activities are aligned with the Core Neuroscience Concepts that are linked to National Science Standards, and on neural engineering concepts linked to ITEA technological literacy standards. 

HIGH SCHOOL MODULES

• Howell, Donnie*, and Satish S. Nair, (2025;*10-12th grade Biology teacher, Columbia Independent School, Columbia, Missouri), “Stop the Panic Attack,”  LINK

• Bordeleau, Heidi*, David J Schulz, and Satish S. Nair, (2025; *10-12th grade Biology teacher, Paris High School, Paris, Missouri; rural high school), “Become a Genome Engineer and Explore CRISPR-Cas9’s Potential to Cure Human Genetic Disorders!” LINK.

• Hill, Alisha**, Harmon Colvett*, Sachin Nair*, Gregory Glickert*, Hend Rasheed (Computer Science teacher), and Satish S Nair 2025) “UNIT - Exploring Our Brain's Learning Process” [**10-12th grade Biology teacher, Ferguson-Florissant R-II School District, St. Louis, Missouri; title-1 school; *these authors contributed equally to the activity]  LINK

There are three activities in this unit:

1. Wired to Think: Exploring the Brain as an Electrical Circuit (60-90 minutes)

2. Learning Fear: Exploring Pavlovian Conditioning and Neural Pathways (60-90 minutes)

3. Connecting the Circuits of Fear: Understanding Neural Pathways and Conditioning (60-90 minutes)

• Rasheed, Hend*, and Satish S. Nair (2025; *10-12th grade Computer Science teacher, Manhattan Bridges High School, Manhattan, New York; title-1 school), “Translating human EMG signal readings to robot movements,” LINK.

• Anjur, Soumya et al. (2025; 10-12th grade Biology teacher, Illinois Math and Science Academy, Aurora, Illinois), “Activity #1: Mapping the Brain: Neurons, Synapses, and Movement” LINK.

• Mohan, Ashwin et al. (2025;10-12th grade CS teacher, Illinois Math and Science Academy, Aurora, Illinois) “Activity#2: Decoding Muscle Movement: Analyzing Neuromuscular Signals With EMG" LINK.

• Pandya, Namrata et al. (2025;10-12th grade CS teacher, Illinois Math and Science Academy, Aurora, IL), “Activity #3: Collaborative Data Analysis: Building a Virtual Lab With Python” LINK

• Pandya, Namrata et al. (2025;10-12th grade CS teacher, Illinois Math and Science Academy, Aurora, Illinois) “Activity#4: Visualizing Neural Signals: Interpreting Data to Understand Movement” LINK.

• Howell, Donnie and Satish S. Nair, (2025;10-12th grade Biology teacher, Columbia Independent School, Columbia, Missouri), “Nervous system makes sense(s),” (passed initial review; out to reviewers)

• Gallego, Carolina*, Hend Rasheed, and Satish S. Nair (2025; *10-12th grade Biology teacher, Manhattan Bridges High School, Manhattan, New York; title-1 school), “Measuring Muscle Biopotential Signals Using EMG Sensors During Exercise” LINK.

• Oghaghare, Okobiah**, Sachin Nair*, Hend Rasheed (CS teacher, Manhattan, NY), David Fague, and Satish S Nair (2025), “NeuroMaze: Mapping Neural Pathways Through Robotic Navigation of a Simple Maze” [**10-12th grade Engineering teacher, Martin Van Buren High School, Queens, New York City, NY; title-1 school; *these authors contributed equally to the activity]  LINK.

MIDDLE AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MODULES

• White, Jessica*, and Satish S. Nair (2024; *5th grade science teacher, David Booneville Elementary, Columbia, Missouri), “Bright Ideas: Exploring Light Reflection and Sun Safety with Micro:Bits,” LINK.

• White, Jessica*, and Satish S. Nair (2024; *5th grade science teacher, David Booneville Elementary, Columbia, Missouri), “Mindful Messages: Engineering Communication Solutions,” LINK.  

• White, Jessica*, and Satish S. Nair (2025; *5th grade science teacher, David Booneville Elementary, Columbia, Missouri), "Brain Power: Exploring Reaction Time and Building Your Own Helmet" LINK.

• Nair S, Samarth P, Nair SS (2014) Robotics Design Challenges, Curricular Unit #5 with 2 Lessons and 5 Activities, TEACHEngineering Digital Library (peer-reviewed resources for K-12; includes powerpoint files, word docs, worksheets and assessments, totaling 206 pages)

• Sinha N, Chaudhary T, Nair S, Samarth P, Nair SS (2014) How do Sensors Work?, Curricular Unit #4 with 6 Lessons and 6 Activities, TEACHEngineering Digital Library (peer-reviewed resources for K-12; includes powerpoint files, word docs, worksheets and assessments, totaling 342 pages).

• Helfer R, Samarth P, Nair SS (2014) What is a Computer Program?, Curricular Unit #3 with 4 Lessons and 4 Activities, TEACHEngineering Digital Library (peer-reviewed resources for K-12; includes powerpoint files, word docs, worksheets and assessments, totaling 263 pages).

• Nair S, Catanho M, Franklin CF, Nair SS (2013) Our Bodies have Computers and Sensors, Curricular Unit #2 with 3 Lessons and 5 Activities, TEACHEngineering Digital Library (peer-reviewed resources for K-12; includes powerpoint files, word docs, worksheets and assessments, totaling 200 pages).

• Nair A, Upendram K, Franklin CC, Mohan A, Nair SS (2011) Humans are Like Robots, Curricular Unit #1 with 4 Lessons, TEACHEngineering Digital Library (peer-reviewed resources for K-12; includes powerpoint files, word docs, worksheets and assessments, totaling 320 pages).