A Digital Science Lesson on Chemical vs. Electrical Signaling, Loewi’s Experiment & Action Potentials with PHET Simulation.
Bring the history and science of neuron communication to life with this highly engaging digital lesson! Students explore the century-long scientific debate between the “Soups” (chemical neurotransmission) and the “Sparks” (electrical signaling), reenact Otto Loewi’s famous dream-inspired frog-heart experiment, and analyze action potentials through visual models and a PHET simulation.
Rooted in authentic scientific discovery, this lesson blends hands-on digital labs, CER writing, historical context, and modern neuroscience to help students build a deep, accurate understanding of how neurons communicate.
Students test “chemical” evidence by adding chemicals to a muscle model
Students test “electrical” evidence by stimulating the vagus nerve of a frog’s heart
A hilarious meme graphic illustrates how stuck the scientific debate became.
Using a clickable, guided digital simulation, students:
Stimulate one frog heart with electricity
Transfer fluid to a second heart
Observe that both hearts slow, providing evidence for chemical communication
Record Claim, Evidence, Reasoning using CER framework
Students explore later research showing both chemical AND electrical synapses exist.
Study the Nobel Prize–winning squid axon experiments by Hodgkin & Huxley
Compare squid vs. human axons using the diagrams
Learn how voltage clamps work
Interpret a simplified action potential diagram
Students manipulate ions, gated channels, and membrane potentials in a powerful multistep simulation that asks them to:
Observe resting potential
Watch charges move during a stimulus
Analyze ions & gated channels
Track each channel type through an action potential
Explore refractory periods
Detailed answers for every simulation, diagram, CER, and analysis prompt.
Quick formative assessment
Real scientific experiments, not just diagrams
Seamlessly combines history of science + modern neuroscience
Highly visual and scaffolded—perfect for mixed-ability classes
Engaging storyline students remember (“soups,” “sparks,” frog hearts, giant squid neurons)
CER writing built in for literacy and NGSS
Zero prep, fully digital
Grades 9–12
Biology (nervous system unit)
AP Biology (neuron communication + action potential)
Anatomy & Physiology
Neuroscience electives
Biomedical Science / Health Science
Students analyze complex physiological processes (action potentials, ion channels), interpret experiments, and complete high-level CER writing—ideal for high school.
CER writing using Loewi’s experiment
Research and describe later neuroscience discoveries
Scientific debate in the early 20th century
Loewi’s Nobel-winning discovery
Simulations modeling ion flow & membrane voltage (PHET sections)
Students write a “lab notebook entry” pretending to be Loewi.
Create a comic explaining soups vs. sparks using meme style
Engineering tie-in: design an improved voltage clamp.
HS-LS1-2 — Structure & Function
Action potentials rely on structure of axons, channels, membranes (Pages 13–20).
HS-LS1-3 — Homeostasis & Signal Transmission
Neurons transmit information electrically and chemically (Pages 3–11).
HS-LS1-1 — Cellular Processes
Ion channels, voltage changes, and electrochemical gradients are deeply explored (Pages 15–20).
HS-LS3-1 / LS3.A — Inheritance of Traits (light)
Covers molecular-level processes that set the stage for neuronal function.
Analyzing & Interpreting Data
Students analyze the frog-heart experiment, action potential diagrams, and PHET visualizations.
Developing and Using Models
Students manipulate digital models (ion channels, charges) and voltage-clamp diagrams
Constructing Explanations & Engaging in Argument from Evidence
CER task on Loewi’s experiment
Obtaining, Evaluating & Communicating Information
Students synthesize historical research and simulation data.
Cause & Effect
Chemical vs. electrical signals causing heart rate changes
Systems & System Models
Neuron as an electrochemical system with discrete parts
Structure & Function
Squid axon diameter, myelin, channel types—and their role in conduction speed
Stability & Change
Resting potential vs. action potential vs. recovery
This lesson involves extensive scientific reading, writing, and data interpretation.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.3
Follow multistep procedures in experiments and simulations.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.7
Integrate and evaluate multiple forms of scientific information (diagrams, data, simulations).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-12.2
Write informative texts (CER explanations).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.9
Compare scientific findings across historical studies.
A Digital Science Lesson on Chemical vs. Electrical Signaling, Loewi’s Experiment & Action Potentials with PHET Simulation.
Bring the history and science of neuron communication to life with this highly engaging digital lesson! Students explore the century-long scientific debate between the “Soups” (chemical neurotransmission) and the “Sparks” (electrical signaling), reenact Otto Loewi’s famous dream-inspired frog-heart experiment, and analyze action potentials through visual models and a PHET simulation.
Rooted in authentic scientific discovery, this lesson blends hands-on digital labs, CER writing, historical context, and modern neuroscience to help students build a deep, accurate understanding of how neurons communicate.
Students test “chemical” evidence by adding chemicals to a muscle model
Students test “electrical” evidence by stimulating the vagus nerve of a frog’s heart
A hilarious meme graphic illustrates how stuck the scientific debate became.
Using a clickable, guided digital simulation, students:
Stimulate one frog heart with electricity
Transfer fluid to a second heart
Observe that both hearts slow, providing evidence for chemical communication
Record Claim, Evidence, Reasoning using CER framework
Students explore later research showing both chemical AND electrical synapses exist.
Study the Nobel Prize–winning squid axon experiments by Hodgkin & Huxley
Compare squid vs. human axons using the diagrams
Learn how voltage clamps work
Interpret a simplified action potential diagram
Students manipulate ions, gated channels, and membrane potentials in a powerful multistep simulation that asks them to:
Observe resting potential
Watch charges move during a stimulus
Analyze ions & gated channels
Track each channel type through an action potential
Explore refractory periods
Detailed answers for every simulation, diagram, CER, and analysis prompt.
Quick formative assessment
Real scientific experiments, not just diagrams
Seamlessly combines history of science + modern neuroscience
Highly visual and scaffolded—perfect for mixed-ability classes
Engaging storyline students remember (“soups,” “sparks,” frog hearts, giant squid neurons)
CER writing built in for literacy and NGSS
Zero prep, fully digital
Grades 9–12
Biology (nervous system unit)
AP Biology (neuron communication + action potential)
Anatomy & Physiology
Neuroscience electives
Biomedical Science / Health Science
Students analyze complex physiological processes (action potentials, ion channels), interpret experiments, and complete high-level CER writing—ideal for high school.
CER writing using Loewi’s experiment
Research and describe later neuroscience discoveries
Scientific debate in the early 20th century
Loewi’s Nobel-winning discovery
Simulations modeling ion flow & membrane voltage (PHET sections)
Students write a “lab notebook entry” pretending to be Loewi.
Create a comic explaining soups vs. sparks using meme style
Engineering tie-in: design an improved voltage clamp.
HS-LS1-2 — Structure & Function
Action potentials rely on structure of axons, channels, membranes (Pages 13–20).
HS-LS1-3 — Homeostasis & Signal Transmission
Neurons transmit information electrically and chemically (Pages 3–11).
HS-LS1-1 — Cellular Processes
Ion channels, voltage changes, and electrochemical gradients are deeply explored (Pages 15–20).
HS-LS3-1 / LS3.A — Inheritance of Traits (light)
Covers molecular-level processes that set the stage for neuronal function.
Analyzing & Interpreting Data
Students analyze the frog-heart experiment, action potential diagrams, and PHET visualizations.
Developing and Using Models
Students manipulate digital models (ion channels, charges) and voltage-clamp diagrams
Constructing Explanations & Engaging in Argument from Evidence
CER task on Loewi’s experiment
Obtaining, Evaluating & Communicating Information
Students synthesize historical research and simulation data.
Cause & Effect
Chemical vs. electrical signals causing heart rate changes
Systems & System Models
Neuron as an electrochemical system with discrete parts
Structure & Function
Squid axon diameter, myelin, channel types—and their role in conduction speed
Stability & Change
Resting potential vs. action potential vs. recovery
This lesson involves extensive scientific reading, writing, and data interpretation.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.3
Follow multistep procedures in experiments and simulations.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.7
Integrate and evaluate multiple forms of scientific information (diagrams, data, simulations).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-12.2
Write informative texts (CER explanations).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.9
Compare scientific findings across historical studies.
