Discussion:  Backyard Brains uses simple tools to help tech kids how the human brain works, and how to make a cockroach leg move to the beat of their iPod.  The use of simple tools like this are being produced to help bring awareness  to science and neurology and the fact that 20% of the population suffers from some sort of neurological disorder.  The goal of “toys” like these are to encourage future generations to enter the field of neurology so that one day a cure for disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Source:  CNN News

Date:  October 19, 2012

Link:  http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/19/tech/innovation/backyard-brains-neuroscience/index.html

Discussion Questions:

•  What happens if the interests of future generations in neurology starts to wan?  Why would scientists be concerned about the interests of future generations?
• How is an iPod able to make a cockroaches leg move?