Synapse Construction Kit

Engage your classroom with hands-on modeling of neuronal communication! Students can use the colorful foam pieces in the Synapse Construction Kit to:

Discover how the resting potential of a neuron is established.
Demonstrate the propagation of an action potential down an axon.
Simulate the action of the sodium-potassium pump in resetting the resting potential.
Explore the effects of neurotransmitters acetylcholine, dopamine and GABA on on a post synaptic neuron.
Model cholinergic, dopaminergic and GABAergic synapses.
Compare and constrast metabotropic and ionontropic receptors.
Analyze the impact of various substances such as nicotine, cocaine, sarin gas and propofol on neuronal signaling.
And much more!

Synapse Construction Kit©	1-Group
Membranes	22
Synaptotagmin	1
SNAP/SNARE Proteins	2
Toxins	2
Gated Sodium Channels	4
Potassium Leak Channels	4
Gated Potassium Channels	4
Gated Calcium Channel	1
G-Protein Coupled Receptor	1
Transport Proteins	2
Sodium/Potassium Pumps	2
Acetylcholine Receptor	1
GABA Receptor	1
Acetylcholinesterase	1
Acetylcholines	7
Dopamines	7
GABAs	7
Sarins	2
Cocaines	2
Propofols	2
Nicotines	2
ADP and P_i	1
Potassium Ions	30
Chloride Ions	12
Sodium Ions	30
Calcium Ions	8

Please allot approximately 60 minutes to put together your first kit and 45 minutes for each additional kit (if you have more than one).
Colors may fade. Consider storing foam kits in a dark location such as a closet, cabinet or drawer.

3D Molecular Designs and the Milwaukee School of Engineering Center for BioMolecular Modeling continually develop and update lesson plans and other resources for our educational products. Teacher notes, student handouts and other supporting documents vary based on the applications and activities of the kit or model. We appreciate your feedback and encourage you to submit your own lessons, assessments and videos.

Materials on our Synapse Construction Kit teacher resources page include:

Contents and Assembly Directions
Next Generation Science Standards
Neuronal Synapse Guides
Resting Potential and Action Potential Activities
Neurotransmission and Synapse Perturbance Activities