Curated OER
Superhumans and Bionics: Building Hi-Tech Exoskeletons
Students explore how the body works. Students experiment and participate in activities to compare speed to stride length. Using the data collected, students draw conclusions about the biology of dinosaurs, their speed and stride length.
PBS
Pbs: Scientific American Frontiers: Artificial Alan
Provides an update on the primary areas of research in bioengineering and bionics: eyes, ears, liver, hands, skin, blood, cartilage, and tendons.
National Academy of Engineering
Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century: Health Technologies
Learners investigate health technologies in the 20th century. Some topics examined are the heart, bionics, and bioengineering. The resource consists of historical information, a timeline, and a personal essay by a key innovator.
PBS
Pbs: Scientific American: Coordinated Control Exercise
PBS's Scientific American series sponsors this learning exercise designed to simulate functional electrical stimulation (FES), a technology which allows the recovery of control of paralyzed muscles.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Scientific American: Body Building: Modeling Breathing Action
Explore the use of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) as a breathing support strategy. Construct a working lung model that simulates the mechanics of breathing.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Scientific American: Body Building: One Way Valves
Investigate biotechnology design by creating a model of a one-way valve from plastic tubing. Describe the mechanical action of the valve.
PBS
Pbs: Scientific American: Uncovering a Signal
An activity in which students analyze simulated brain signals and attempt to determine which signals control which muscle activity, imitating the manner in which a computer attempts to decipher brain signals for use in bionics.
PBS
Pbs: Scientific American Frontiers: Standing Tall
Experience FES or functional electrical stimulation, through the eyes of a patient who lives it. Learn how doctors gave a paralyzed patient control over her muscles.
PBS
Pbs: Scientific American Frontiers: Searching for a Substitute
This article on the history and development of the artificial heart examines past attempts at artificial heart transplant and looks at future research and development.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: The Real Bionic Man
Lesson plans for a classroom investigation into the field of bionics, with discussion suggestions and links to sites on bionics.