Activity

Bionic Eye

Key Learning

Students will develop their scientific understanding on how the human eye works. Students will learn about the scientific discovery of the bionic eye and how it will be used to solve problems that directly affect people’s lives.

The Australian Curriculum

Science / Science as a Human Endeavour / Use and influence of science
Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to solve problems that directly affect peoples’ lives(ACSHE083) (ACSHE100)
Science / Science Understanding / Physical sciences
Light from a source forms shadows and can be absorbed, reflected and refracted(ACSSU080) / Science / Science Inquiry Skills / Communicating
Communicate ideas, explanations and processes in a variety of ways, includingmulti-modal texts(ACSIS093) (ACSIS110)
Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems using scientific language and representations using digital technologies as appropriate(ACSIS133) (ACSIS148)

Discussion Questions

1.  How long has Jessye been blind?

2.  How does she get around?

3.  Describe echo location.

4.  Scientists hope the bionic eye will help around ____% of people to see.

5.  What is the cochlear bionic ear and how does it work?

6.  Choose three adjectives to describe how Sophie felt when she could hear and speak for the first time.

7.  What job does the retina perform?

8.  Using words or pictures, describe how the bionic eye works.

9.  Describe the images people would see with the bionic eye.

10.  What do you now know about bionics since watching the BtN story?

Activities

Remember and understand

·  To understand bionic eye technology, it will help students if they know more about how the human eye functions and how we see. Refer to the following websites to find out more about how the human eye works.

Child and Youth Health – How your eyes work

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=152&id=1730.

Bionic Vision Australia – How does healthy vision work?

http://bionicvision.org.au/eye/healthy_vision

·  Provide students with a labelled diagram of the human eye, optic nerve, and brain. Hold a class discussion in which students match up parts of the human eye and brain to the different technology used in the bionic eye.

·  Students will then conduct research into the discovery of the human bionic eye. Use the following research questions to guide students’ research.

Venn Diagram

·  Complete the Venn diagram below to show as much as you know about the bionic ear (also called a cochlear implant) and the new bionic eye. Remember to use overlapping parts of the diagram to show what they have in common.

Refer to the Questacon website for more information on the bionic ear http://www.questacon.edu.au/indepth/clever/bionic_ear.html

Further Investigation

Bionic Vision Australia have developed an app to simulate the sort of vision a person with a bionic eye might experience. Although it is difficult to predict exactly what people with retinal implants will experience, the app will help you imagine what vision with phosphenes might be like.http://bionicvision.org.au/eye/what_might_i_see

Invite students to use the Internet to build a timeline of technological and medical advancements in the field of bionics over the last century. Use dipity to create your timeline. http://www.dipity.com/

Follow the journey of the bionic eye discovery! Track the progress of the bionic eye by looking at a selection of media coverage highlights via ABC News and the Bionic Vision Australia ‘In the News’ website. http://bionicvision.org.au/media/In_the_news

8 Related Research Links

ABC News – Bionic eye prototype unveiled by Victorian scientists and designers

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-07/latest-bionic-eye-prototype-unveiled-in-victoria/4741190

Bionic Vision Australia – The Bionic Eye

http://bionicvision.org.au/eye

Monash University – Direct to brain bionic vision

http://www.monash.edu.au/bioniceye/technology%20ORIGINAL.html

CSIRO Double Helix – Bionic eye a step closer

http://csirohelixblog.com/2012/09/28/bionic-eye-a-step-closer/

Child and Youth Health – How you eyes work

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=152&id=1730

Behind the News – Bionic Eye

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2316649.htm

ABC Catalyst – Bionic Eye

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3179190.htm

©ABC 2013