Module 3
,NIDA Junior Scientists Program Module 3
Guide to Module 3:
Sending and Receiving Messages
Introduction
In module 1, students learned how to use scientific inquiry to solve problems. In module 2,
they learned about four key parts of the brain and what each part does. During the third
mission, students will simulate the process of neurotransmission: how information gets to
and from the brain.
Learning Objectives
• Students simulate neurotransmission.
• Students discover how messages travel throughout the body.
• Students learn about the relationship between the brain and the rest of the nervous system.
Relationship to the National Science Education Standards
This mission aligns with two standards identified in the NSES: unifying concepts and
processes and science as inquiry. (They use only parts of scientific inquiry for this mission.)
The charts on the next page identify how the mission aligns with each of these standards.
3-1
,NIDA Junior Scientists Program Module 3
UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES
Levels K–4 How Mission is Aligned
Systems, order, and organization This mission builds on what students learned
in module 2 about the brain as a system by
illustrating how neurotransmission is part of
that system. Students begin to understand
how the brain works with the other parts of the
nervous system to perform many key functions.
SCIENCE AS INQUIRY
Levels K–4 How Mission is Aligned
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry Students go through some of the steps
of scientific inquiry: observing, making
predictions, completing an investigation to test
their predictions, illustrating a concept, and
drawing conclusions.
Background
Messages, in the form of electrical impulses, constantly travel back and forth between the
brain and other parts of the body. A special cell called a neuron is responsible for carrying
these messages. There are about 100 billion neurons in the human brain.
3-2
, NIDA Junior Scientists Program Module 3
A neuron has three main parts. The cell body directs all activities of the neuron. Dendrites
extend out from the cell body and receive messages from other nerve cells. An axon is
a long single fiber that transmits messages from the cell body to the dendrites of other
neurons or to other body tissues, such as muscles. A protective covering called the myelin
sheath, covers most neurons. Myelin insulates the axon and helps nerve signals travel
faster and farther.
Dendrites
Myelin Sheath
Axon
Cell Body
3-3
,NIDA Junior Scientists Program Module 3
Guide to Module 3:
Sending and Receiving Messages
Introduction
In module 1, students learned how to use scientific inquiry to solve problems. In module 2,
they learned about four key parts of the brain and what each part does. During the third
mission, students will simulate the process of neurotransmission: how information gets to
and from the brain.
Learning Objectives
• Students simulate neurotransmission.
• Students discover how messages travel throughout the body.
• Students learn about the relationship between the brain and the rest of the nervous system.
Relationship to the National Science Education Standards
This mission aligns with two standards identified in the NSES: unifying concepts and
processes and science as inquiry. (They use only parts of scientific inquiry for this mission.)
The charts on the next page identify how the mission aligns with each of these standards.
3-1
,NIDA Junior Scientists Program Module 3
UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES
Levels K–4 How Mission is Aligned
Systems, order, and organization This mission builds on what students learned
in module 2 about the brain as a system by
illustrating how neurotransmission is part of
that system. Students begin to understand
how the brain works with the other parts of the
nervous system to perform many key functions.
SCIENCE AS INQUIRY
Levels K–4 How Mission is Aligned
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry Students go through some of the steps
of scientific inquiry: observing, making
predictions, completing an investigation to test
their predictions, illustrating a concept, and
drawing conclusions.
Background
Messages, in the form of electrical impulses, constantly travel back and forth between the
brain and other parts of the body. A special cell called a neuron is responsible for carrying
these messages. There are about 100 billion neurons in the human brain.
3-2
, NIDA Junior Scientists Program Module 3
A neuron has three main parts. The cell body directs all activities of the neuron. Dendrites
extend out from the cell body and receive messages from other nerve cells. An axon is
a long single fiber that transmits messages from the cell body to the dendrites of other
neurons or to other body tissues, such as muscles. A protective covering called the myelin
sheath, covers most neurons. Myelin insulates the axon and helps nerve signals travel
faster and farther.
Dendrites
Myelin Sheath
Axon
Cell Body
3-3
