22-09-2012, 02:58 PM
Traveling Engineering Activity Kits
[attachment=34376]
Human Sight Overview
The human eye is a complex organ. Its function can be broken down into three stages.
• The first stage is the collection of light. At the front of the eye, a lens like component
adjusts the visual focal point by stretching or contracting the lens. This allows an
individual to focus on objects that are either far or close to the individual.
• The second stage is the processing of visual light. At the back of the eye, there are two
types of receptors called cones and rods. Cones help the individual to detect and
distinguish different colors. The human eye has blue, green and red cones. Rods help the
individual to detect and distinguish between light and dark.
• The third stage is the process of stimulating the brain. After a receptor is stimulated, an
electrical pulse is sent out thru the optic nerve to the visual cortex of the brain. This is
the area of the human brain where visual stimulants are processed.
Engineering of Sight Overview
Individuals with visual problems could have damaged or defective lenses, receptors, or even
optic nerves. Engineers and scientist have been studying how the human eye works and
functions in hopes to find solutions for the visual impaired. Currently, bioengineers are working
to develop a device called the artificial eye. The artificial eye is a device that can replace the
second and last stages of the eye to allow the individual to process and stimulate the brain.
Overview
The artificial eye kit contains activities for students to gain a better understanding of how
the human eye operates. Applying the same science concepts into engineering, an artificial eye
model can be demonstrated to these students with an electrical circuitry. This circuitry will be
built by the students. The main focus of this kit is to teach students about the human eye and the
possibilities for engineers to create or modify the human eye to help those with vision problems.
Engineering Connection
Engineers can apply the same science concepts of how the human eye operates to design
functional artificial eyes. Artificial eyes function exactly like the human eye in ways such as
receiving signals and processing them as electrical signals to the brain. To demonstrate how
these signals are received and processed by the brain, infrared LEDs will be used. Students
performing this activity will experience the same fundamental problems and limitations current
engineer are having while designing a realistic artificial eye. Examples of such limitations are
creating receptors sensitive towards different intensities of lights, where and how to stimulate the
brain accurately to match where the light is being viewed by the individual.
[attachment=34376]
Human Sight Overview
The human eye is a complex organ. Its function can be broken down into three stages.
• The first stage is the collection of light. At the front of the eye, a lens like component
adjusts the visual focal point by stretching or contracting the lens. This allows an
individual to focus on objects that are either far or close to the individual.
• The second stage is the processing of visual light. At the back of the eye, there are two
types of receptors called cones and rods. Cones help the individual to detect and
distinguish different colors. The human eye has blue, green and red cones. Rods help the
individual to detect and distinguish between light and dark.
• The third stage is the process of stimulating the brain. After a receptor is stimulated, an
electrical pulse is sent out thru the optic nerve to the visual cortex of the brain. This is
the area of the human brain where visual stimulants are processed.
Engineering of Sight Overview
Individuals with visual problems could have damaged or defective lenses, receptors, or even
optic nerves. Engineers and scientist have been studying how the human eye works and
functions in hopes to find solutions for the visual impaired. Currently, bioengineers are working
to develop a device called the artificial eye. The artificial eye is a device that can replace the
second and last stages of the eye to allow the individual to process and stimulate the brain.
Overview
The artificial eye kit contains activities for students to gain a better understanding of how
the human eye operates. Applying the same science concepts into engineering, an artificial eye
model can be demonstrated to these students with an electrical circuitry. This circuitry will be
built by the students. The main focus of this kit is to teach students about the human eye and the
possibilities for engineers to create or modify the human eye to help those with vision problems.
Engineering Connection
Engineers can apply the same science concepts of how the human eye operates to design
functional artificial eyes. Artificial eyes function exactly like the human eye in ways such as
receiving signals and processing them as electrical signals to the brain. To demonstrate how
these signals are received and processed by the brain, infrared LEDs will be used. Students
performing this activity will experience the same fundamental problems and limitations current
engineer are having while designing a realistic artificial eye. Examples of such limitations are
creating receptors sensitive towards different intensities of lights, where and how to stimulate the
brain accurately to match where the light is being viewed by the individual.