Sensory Systems Blueprint

A comprehensive 12th-grade psychology unit focusing on the anatomical and neural mechanisms of vision and audition. Students explore the transformation of physical waves into neural signals, comparing scientific theories of color and pitch perception while investigating sensory deficits and modern prosthetics.

The Optical Intake

Students identify the anatomical structures of the eye and examine how rods and cones translate light into chemical signals. The lesson features a 'blind spot' demonstration to highlight the brain's role in filling perceptual gaps.

Chromic Circuits

Tracing the neural signal from the retina to the visual cortex, students analyze the Trichromatic and Opponent-Process theories of color vision. They use afterimage experiments to validate neural models of perception.

The Sonic Transducer

Students connect the physics of sound waves to the mechanical structures of the ear. The lesson covers the path of sound from the pinna through the ossicles to the transduction process in the cochlea.

Pitch and Position

An exploration of how the brain interprets pitch and locates sound sources. Students compare Place and Frequency theories and investigate the binaural cues required for spatial hearing.

Restoring the Senses

Students apply their knowledge to diagnose sensory impairments and evaluate medical technologies. They examine how cochlear implants and retinal prosthetics interface with the nervous system to restore sensation.