The Nervous System and the Brain
Choose one of the following nervous system messages to research in more depth:
• the sight of a ship out on the ocean
• the feeling of a kitten’s fur
• the sound of a fire engine siren
• the movement of an arm as it stretches to reach a jar on a high shelf
You are challenged to track the entire journey of the sensory or motor signal you have
chosen as it moves through the nervous system and brain. Consider these questions:

Where does the signal begin?

What parts of the nervous system and brain does it pass through first?

What parts of the nervous system pass the signal along on its journey?

Where does the signal finally arrive and what happens when it gets there?
Starting points for research:
• Neuroscience for Kids
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/nsdivide.html
• MSN Kids: Nervous System
http://yucky.kids.discovery.com/noflash/body/pg000136.html
• Pathfinders for Kids: Nervous System
http://infozone.imcpl.org/kids_nerv.htm
• CyberSleuths Kids: Nervous System
http://cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/Science/Anatomy/Nervous_System/
• Google Kids: Nervous System
http://www.google.com/Top/Kids_and_Teens/School_Time/Science/Living_Things/An
imals/Mammals/Humans/Nervous_System/
• Brain Basics
http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/kids/science/Biology%20Cells/Nervous%20System/Expl
ore%20the%20Nervous%20System/Brain%20Basics/mainpage.htm
• Brainarium Glossary
http://www.morphonix.com/software/education/science/brain/game/brainarium/brainar
ium_glossary.html
• Yahooligans: Nervous System Links
http://search.yahooligans.yahoo.com/search/ligans?p=nervous+system&y=y&r=Scien
ce+and+Nature%02Living+Things%02Animals%02Mammals%02Dogs%02Service+
Dogs
When you have completed their research, record your findings:
- in a one-page report that explains the journey of the sensory or motor signal
in detail.
or
-using the poster as a visual reference to show the class the locations the
signal will pass on its journey through the nervous system.
or
- Create a skit and visit the parts of the brain a message travels through.