Sensory Lab Slides Sensory Lab
Mission 01: The Eight Systems
The Mystery Box Challenge
Without looking, reach into the box.
Sensory Scientist Questions:
What does it feel like?
How heavy is it?
Is it moving?
❓
Did you know?
"You have more than 5 senses!"
Most people learn about 5, but sensory scientists study EIGHT different ways our body gets information.
The "Famous" Five
Visual
Sight
Auditory
Sound
Tactile
Touch
Gustatory
Taste
Olfactory
Smell
The Secret Three
Vestibular
Your balance and movement! It tells you if you are upside down or moving fast.
Proprioception
Body position! It tells your brain where your arms and legs are without looking.
Interoception
Internal signals! It tells you if you are hungry, thirsty, or need the bathroom.
Today's Lab Mission
1
Rotate through the Sensory Stations .
2
Observe how each input makes your body feel.
3
Mark if the feeling is Alerting (Wakes you up) or Calming (Slows you down).
Scientist Rule #1:
"Every brain is different. What is calming for one scientist might be alerting for another!"
Sensory Station Log Worksheet Sensory Lab
Station Rotation Log
Scientist:
Visit each station and test the sensory input. Record your data below.
Sensory System The Activity Alerting or Calming? Reaction Tactile
|
|
Alert
Calm
| 👍 👎 |
|
Auditory
|
|
Alert
Calm
| 👍 👎 |
|
Visual
|
|
Alert
Calm
| 👍 👎 |
|
Gustatory
|
|
Alert
Calm
| 👍 👎 |
Sensory System The Activity Alerting or Calming? Reaction Olfactory
|
|
Alert
Calm
| 👍 👎 |
|
Vestibular
|
|
Alert
Calm
| 👍 👎 |
|
Proprioception
|
|
Alert
Calm
| 👍 👎 |
|
Interoception
|
|
Alert
Calm
| 👍 👎 |
Final Reflection
1. Which station was your favorite? Why?
2. Was there any station that felt "too much" or overwhelming?
Sensory Station Teacher Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide
Sensory Lab Setup
Lesson 1: Intro to the Eight Systems
Objective
To normalize individual sensory differences and allow students to explore how various sensory inputs affect their nervous system (alerting vs. calming).
Pacing
Hook/Intro: 10 MinutesLab Rotation: 30 Minutes (3-4 min per station)Debrief: 10 Minutes
Station Configurations
Tactile
Materials: Sandpaper, silk, slime, cotton balls, dry beans.
Station 1
Activity: Blind reach into bins to feel textures. Rate them as "satisfying/calming" or "scratchy/alerting."
Auditory
Materials: Noise-canceling headphones, white noise machine, upbeat music.
Station 2
Activity: Switch between silence, white noise, and loud music. Notice which makes the brain feel "sharp" and which feels "quiet."
Vestibular
Materials: Wobble stool, spinning chair, balance beam tape line.
Station 3
Activity: Students spin for 10 seconds or balance on one foot. Observe if it makes them feel dizzy/alert or focused/regulated.
Proprioception
Materials: Weighted lap pad, wall-push station, therapy bands.
Station 4
Activity: Push against a wall as hard as possible or place a weighted item on lap. Notice the "grounding" feeling.
Debriefing Questions
?
"Who found the music station calming ? Who found it alerting ? Why is it cool that we have different answers?"
?
"If you feel really tired in class, which station activity might help wake your brain up ?"
?
"Which 'hidden sense' (Vestibular, Proprioception, Interoception) was the most surprising to learn about?"
Sound and Sight Slides Sound & Sight Science
Mission 02: The Focus Experiment
The Riddle Challenge
"I have cities, but no houses. I have mountains, but no trees. I have water, but no fish. What am I?"
Round 1
Chaotic Noise!
Round 2
Perfect Silence.
How does your brain work?
Seeking
Some brains want MORE . They need music or light to "wake up" and stay focused.
"I need background noise to concentrate!"
Avoiding
Some brains want LESS . They need quiet or low light to stay calm and process information.
"Turn that light off, it's too loud!"
Focus Under Pressure
We will test our focus in 3 Auditory Environments:
Dead Silence
White Noise
Upbeat Music
Record your "Focus Score" for each one!
Focus Experiment Data Sheet Sensory Lab
Focus Data Sheet
Scientist:
Experiment 01: Sound Levels
Silence
Focus Meter
1
10
Brain Feeling
White Noise
Focus Meter
1
10
Brain Feeling
Upbeat Music
Focus Meter
1
10
Brain Feeling
Experiment 02: Light Settings
When the lights are BRIGHT, I feel:
Energized
Distracted
Normal
Hurts my eyes
When the lights are DIM, I feel:
Sleepy
Calm
Focused
Hard to see
My Brain Type:
Sound Seeker
Sound Avoider
Light Seeker
Light Avoider
Scientist's Conclusion
"Based on my data, my ideal learning environment would have ___________________________ and ___________________________."
Environment Testing Guide Environment Testing Guide
Teacher Resource
The Mission
This guide provides the specific auditory and visual stimuli for the "Focus Experiment." Teachers will alternate between these conditions while students attempt to complete a simple task (like the riddle or a simple math sheet).
Experiment Conditions
Condition A: Pure Silence
Teacher Instruction: Maintain total classroom silence. No whispering, tapping, or moving chairs. This is the "Baseline" condition.
Riddle to read:
"What has a thumb and four fingers but is not alive?" (Answer: A glove)
Condition B: Steady Noise
Teacher Instruction: Play a steady white noise track or run a loud fan. Ensure there are no sharp peaks in volume.
Riddle to read:
"What has to be broken before you can use it?" (Answer: An egg)
Condition C: Chaotic Stimuli
Teacher Instruction: Play upbeat, lyrical music while occasionally flickering the classroom lights or tapping on desks. This is designed to challenge the brain's filtering.
Riddle to read:
"I'm tall when I'm young, and I'm short when I'm old. What am I?" (Answer: A candle)
Analyzing the Results
Observation Prompts
"Did anyone find it EASIER to solve the riddle during Condition B (White Noise) than Condition A (Silence)?"
"Who felt their body get 'tight' or 'anxious' during Condition C?"
Teaching Note
Some students may experience genuine distress during Condition C. Always allow students to "opt-out" or step into the hallway if they feel overwhelmed. This is a primary learning moment for self-advocacy!
Touch and Move Slides Touch & Move Mechanics
Mission 03: Tools and Movement
The Wall Push Challenge
Stand and push against the wall as hard as you can for 30 seconds.
Notice Your Body:
Does your body feel "tighter"?
Does your brain feel calmer?
Are you more awake?
Proprioception at Work
Tools vs. Toys
A Tool...
Helps you focus .
Stay in your workspace.
Doesn't distract others.
A Toy...
Is for playtime .
Might make noise or fly around.
Takes your attention away.
Today's Tool Menu
Fidgets
Keeps hands busy so brain can listen.
Seating
Wobble stools or cushions for movement.
Weights
Weighted pads for a grounding feeling.
Breaks
Short movement bursts to reset the brain.
Tools and Tasks Trial Worksheet Sensory Lab
Tool Trial Log
Scientist:
Scientists don't just guess which tools work—they test them! Use a tool while you work on a task, then record if it was a Focus Tool or a Toy Distraction .
The Tool
(e.g., Wobble Stool)
The Task
(e.g., Reading)
How it helped
Kept body calm
Kept brain awake
Rating
The Tool
The Task
How it helped
Kept body calm
Kept brain awake
Rating
The Tool
The Task
How it helped
Kept body calm
Kept brain awake
Rating
My MVP (Most Valuable Practice)
Which tool or movement break made the biggest difference in your focus today?
Body Signal Detectors Slides Body Signal Detectors
Mission 04: The Hidden Sense
The Heartbeat Challenge
Step 1: Do jumping jacks for 1 minute!
Step 2: Freeze. Put your hand over your heart.
"What is your body trying to tell you right now?"
Temperature
Are you hot?
Breathing
Is it fast?
Pulse
Is it thumping?
Skin
Is it sweaty?
The Hidden 8th Sense
Interoception
It is the sense of how your body feels on the inside.
🍔
Hunger
😴
Tiredness
🚽
Full Bladder
Internal Data Points
Your body sends "clues" about your emotions BEFORE your brain even knows!
Example:
Tight Chest
Anxiety
Today's Task:
"We will create a BODY MAP to connect our signals to our feelings."
Body Signal Map Worksheet Sensory Lab
Internal Body Map
Scientist:
The Signal Bank
Head
Tight, Dizzy, Heavy, Hot
Chest/Lungs
Fast heart, Shallow breath, Tight
Stomach
Butterflies, Growly, Empty, Tight
Muscles
Wiggly, Heavy, Tense, Loose
Instructions
Color the parts of the body map where you feel signals when you are Worried (use Blue) or Angry (use Red).
Draw a circle around your "Strongest Signal" spot!
Body Data Points
When my body feels _______________
It usually means I am feeling _______________
To help my body, I can _______________ Brain User Manual Slides Brain User Manual
Mission 05: Self-Advocacy & Success
Why do we need a Manual?
Even the coolest technology comes with instructions .
"Your brain is the most complex technology in the world! You are the only person who knows how it works best."
Phones have settings.
Cars need specific fuel.
Games have controls.
You have Needs!
Speaking Up
!
Self-Advocacy is...
...telling people what you need so you can do your best work.
Avoid this:
"I can't do this! It's too loud!"
Try this:
"Excuse me, it's a bit loud for my brain. Can I use my headphones?"
Manual Production
Today, you will gather all your lab data and create your Official User Manual .
Your Favorite Sounds & Sights
Your Go-To Regulation Tools
Your Secret Body Signals
Brain User Manual Project Version 1.0
Official User Manual
Model: Human Brain
Assigned To Scientist:
Notice
This document contains highly sensitive data regarding the sensory preferences and regulation needs of the assigned unit. Unauthorized use or ignore-ance of these instructions may result in system dysregulation or decreased focus.
Technical Specs
Section 01
Auditory Setting
Silent Baseline
Low Music/Noise
Steady White Noise
Visual Setting
Full Brightness
Dimmed / Natural Light
Desk Lamp Only
Maintenance & Tools
Required Fidget/Tactile Tools:
Recommended Movement Breaks:
Error Signals (Interoception)
When I am feeling overwhelmed or dysregulated , look for these signals:
Thumping Heart
Tight Hands
Red Ears
Wiggly Feet
Best "Reset" Strategy:
"I advocate for my brain so my brain can work for me."
Advocacy Script Cards Advocacy Script Cards
Lesson 5: Role-Play Activity
Auditory Scenario
"It's too loud for me to focus."
Try Saying:
"Excuse me, Teacher. My brain is having a hard time focusing because of the noise. Can I please wear my headphones for this task?"
Sensory Lab Advocacy Card #01
Visual Scenario
"The lights are hurting my eyes."
Try Saying:
"The overhead lights are making my eyes feel tired. May I move to the desk by the window or wear my hat/visor?"
Sensory Lab Advocacy Card #02
Movement Scenario
"I feel wiggly and can't sit still."
Try Saying:
"My body feels like it needs to move so I can listen better. May I go do 10 wall pushes or use a wobble stool for this lesson?"
Sensory Lab Advocacy Card #03
Signal Scenario
"I feel my body getting angry/upset."
Try Saying:
"My heart is thumping fast and I feel overwhelmed. I need to take a 2-minute break in the calm-down corner, please."
Sensory Lab Advocacy Card #04
Teacher Note: Cut these cards out and distribute to student pairs. Encourage them to practice the tone of voice—polite, clear, and confident!
