NeuroLab: A Set of Graphical Computer Simulations to Support Neuroscience Instruction at the High School and...

Young students struggle with concepts that involve the parallel activity of large numbers of similar entities, precisely the kind of concepts that abound in neuroscience. While a direct experience to laboratory work cannot be replaced, such activities include a steep learning curve and may be impractical in certain course settings. This article describes a set of computer simulations of a number of neural processes using NetLogo (Wilensky, 1999), a software environment for the design and implementation of multi-agent simulations that has an intuitive graphical interface and minimal learning curve. NeuroLab is a group of graphical simulations that portray ions, molecules, synapses or cells as individual recognizable agents with particular behaviors, depending on the level at which the particular process is simulated. On a typical assignment, students run the simulation a few times manipulating specific variables by means of buttons, switches and sliders and observe the results of their manipulations on the main window. Many simulations include one or more plots that help visualize statistical data in real time and allow for the testing of experimental hypotheses. Students may repeat the simulation as many times as they wish and collect data or answer questions based on their observations. Assignments may take just a few minutes to perform, but could conceivably be part of more involved activities as designed by the instructor.