A laboratory exercise in somesthesis that is expeditious, inexpensive, and suitable for large classes

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience Education
• Somatosensory System Research

Background:

• Understanding the somatosensory system is crucial for medical and science education.
• Traditional labs often face challenges with scalability and resource availability for large classes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a successful teaching laboratory module for demonstrating somatosensory system principles.
• To provide practical, cost-effective methods for teaching tactile acuity and skin sensitivity.

Main Methods:

• Developed and implemented a laboratory exercise for a large medical school class (140-160 students).
• Utilized a readily available and inexpensive two-point discrimination device to measure tactile acuity.
• Described supplementary demonstrations suitable for smaller groups or independent student study.

Main Results:

• The laboratory successfully demonstrated the 'spot-like' nature of skin sensitivity and tactile acuity.
• The use of sufficient, easily constructed apparatuses contributed to the lab's success in large classes.

Conclusions:

• This teaching laboratory provides an effective and scalable model for demonstrating key somatosensory principles.
• The methods are adaptable for various educational levels, including undergraduate and high school students.