Constructing an Inexpensive Elevated Plus Maze

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Educational Methods
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Undergraduate lab courses aim to teach experimentation but often struggle with student engagement and budget constraints.
• Lack of student ownership and high equipment costs hinder effective experimental learning.
• Developing inexpensive, student-built apparatus can address these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a laboratory project where students design and construct their own inexpensive experimental apparatus.
• To foster student engagement and ownership in scientific experimentation through hands-on building.
• To create a functional elevated plus maze (EPM) for anxiety research within a limited budget.

Main Methods:

• Students in a Neuroscience Methods course designed and built an elevated plus maze (EPM) and optional data acquisition module.
• The project focused on applied critical thinking and real-world problem-solving.
• The apparatus was constructed for under $100 per unit.

Main Results:

• Students successfully designed and built functional elevated plus mazes (EPMs).
• The project enhanced student engagement and problem-solving skills.
• The developed EPMs were utilized in subsequent research projects beyond the initial course.

Conclusions:

• Student-designed and built apparatus can be a cost-effective solution for undergraduate neuroscience labs.
• Hands-on project-based learning increases student engagement and ownership in scientific research.
• This approach provides valuable practical experience and functional equipment for future research endeavors.