Activity
Episode 17
th
18 June 2013
Bionic Eye
Key Learning
Students will develop their scientific understanding on how the human eye works. Students will learn about
the scientific discovery of the bionic eye and how it will be used to solve problems that directly affect people’s
lives.
The Australian Curriculum
Science / Science as a Human Endeavour / Use and
influence of science
Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used
to solve problems that directly affect peoples’ lives (ACSHE083)
(ACSHE100)
Science / Science Understanding / Physical sciences
Science / Science Inquiry Skills / Communicating
Communicate ideas, explanations and processes in a variety of
ways, including multi-modal texts(ACSIS093) (ACSIS110)
Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems using
scientific language and representations using digital
technologies as appropriate (ACSIS133) (ACSIS148)
Light from a source forms shadows and can be absorbed,
reflected and refracted (ACSSU080)
Discussion Questions
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How long has Jessye been blind?
How does she get around?
Describe echo location.
Scientists hope the bionic eye will help around ____% of people to see.
What is the cochlear bionic ear and how does it work?
Choose three adjectives to describe how Sophie felt when she could hear and speak for the first time.
What job does the retina perform?
Using words or pictures, describe how the bionic eye works.
Describe the images people would see with the bionic eye.
What do you now know about bionics since watching the BtN story?
Activities
Remember and understand
To understand bionic eye technology, it will help students if they know more about how the human eye
functions and how we see. Refer to the following websites to find out more about how the human eye
works.
©ABC 2013
Child and Youth Health – How
your eyes work
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopi
cs/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx
?p=335&np=152&id=1730.
Bionic Vision Australia – How
does healthy vision work?
http://bionicvision.org.au/eye/he
althy_vision
Provide students with a labelled diagram of the human eye, optic nerve, and brain. Hold a class
discussion in which students match up parts of the human eye and brain to the different technology used
in the bionic eye.
Students will then conduct research into the discovery of the human bionic eye. Use the following
research questions to guide students’ research.
Research questions
How does the human eye work?
What does bionic mean?
What is a bionic eye?
How will it work?
Who will it help?
What might someone who has a
bionic eye see?
Take a look at the bionic eye
app to simulate the sort of vision
a person with a bionic eye might
experience.
http://bionicvision.org.au/eye/wh
at_might_i_see
Who is working on the bionic
eye project?
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Outside glasses – digital camera
Inside glasses – eye movement sensor will direct the camera
Side of glasses – digital processor and wireless transmitter
Brain implant – small implant under the skull will receive wireless
signals and directly stimulate the brain’s visual cortex
Venn Diagram
Complete the Venn diagram below to show as much as you know about the bionic ear (also called a
cochlear implant) and the new bionic eye. Remember to use overlapping parts of the diagram to show
what they have in common.
Refer to the Questacon website for more information on the bionic ear
http://www.questacon.edu.au/indepth/clever/bionic_ear.html
©ABC 2013
Further Investigation
Bionic Vision Australia have developed an app to simulate the sort of vision a person
with a bionic eye might experience. Although it is difficult to predict exactly what people
with retinal implants will experience, the app will help you imagine what vision with
phosphenes might be like. http://bionicvision.org.au/eye/what_might_i_see
Invite students to use the Internet to build a timeline of technological and medical
advancements in the field of bionics over the last century. Use dipity to create your
timeline. http://www.dipity.com/
Follow the journey of the bionic eye discovery! Track the progress of the bionic eye by looking at a
selection of media coverage highlights via ABC News and the Bionic Vision Australia ‘In the News’ website.
http://bionicvision.org.au/media/In_the_news
 Related Research Links
ABC News – Bionic eye prototype unveiled by Victorian scientists and designers
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-07/latest-bionic-eye-prototype-unveiled-in-victoria/4741190
Bionic Vision Australia – The Bionic Eye
http://bionicvision.org.au/eye
Monash University – Direct to brain bionic vision
http://www.monash.edu.au/bioniceye/technology%20ORIGINAL.html
CSIRO Double Helix – Bionic eye a step closer
http://csirohelixblog.com/2012/09/28/bionic-eye-a-step-closer/
Child and Youth Health – How you eyes work
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=152&id=1730
Behind the News – Bionic Eye
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2316649.htm
ABC Catalyst – Bionic Eye
http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3179190.htm
©ABC 2013