Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, is looking for people to test its new technology. This technology aims to connect human brains to computers. It will be tested on people who can’t move their bodies. The test will involve putting a device in the brain that lets people control a computer with their thoughts.

Neuralink will use a robot to put tiny threads into the part of the brain that controls movement. These threads will send brain signals to an app that understands the person’s intended movements. People with severe paralysis or a disease called ALS might be able to take part in the test. It’s not clear yet how well Neuralink’s method will work compared to other companies’ methods.

Neuralink is new to the field of brain-computer interfaces and has competition from other companies. Blackrock Neurotech and Precision Neuroscience are also developing technology for people with paralysis. Recent studies have shown good results in using implants to watch brain activity and understand speech. It’s not known yet how well Neuralink’s technology will work compared to these existing solutions.

Original news source: Musk start-up Neuralink seeks people for brain-implant trial (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: In this activity, students will work in pairs or small groups. Each group will take turns summarizing the main points of the article in their own words. They should aim to include the key information and important details. After each group presents their summary, the rest of the class can ask questions or provide feedback.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Each group will come up with a list of questions related to the article. The questions should be designed to gather opinions from their classmates. For example, “Do you think connecting human brains to computers is a good idea?” or “Would you be willing to participate in a test like this?” After the groups have prepared their questions, they can take turns asking them to the rest of the class and recording their responses.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of key vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into small groups and give each group a set of blank index cards or small pieces of paper. Each group will take turns choosing a word from the list and drawing a picture that represents that word. The other groups must try to guess the word based on the drawing. The group who guesses correctly gets a point, and the group with the most points at the end wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. One group will brainstorm the pros of Neuralink’s new technology, while the other group will brainstorm the cons. Each group should come up with at least three points. Afterward, the groups can take turns presenting their points to the class and engaging in a discussion about the potential benefits and drawbacks of the technology.

– Headline Creation
Instructions: In this activity, students will work individually or in pairs. Each student or pair will create a catchy headline for the article. The headline should capture the main idea of the article and be attention-grabbing. After everyone has created their headline, they can share them with the class and discuss which ones are the most effective and why.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, trying to do with its new technology?
2. Who will be tested with Neuralink’s technology?
3. What will the device in the brain allow people to do?
4. How will Neuralink put the threads into the brain?
5. Who might be able to take part in the test?
6. What are some other companies developing similar technology?
7. What have recent studies shown about using implants to understand speech?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, is (1)______ for people to test its new technology. This technology aims to connect human brains to computers. It will be tested on people who can’t move their bodies. The test will involve (2)______ a (3)______ in the brain that lets people control a computer with their (4)______.

Neuralink will use a robot to put (5)______ threads into the part of the brain that controls (6)______. These threads will send brain signals to an app that understands the person’s intended movements. People with severe paralysis or a disease called ALS might be able to (7)______ part in the test. It’s not clear yet how well Neuralink’s method will work compared to other companies’ methods.

Neuralink is new to the field of brain-computer (8)______ and has competition from other companies. (9)______ Neurotech and Precision Neuroscience are also developing technology for people with paralysis. Recent studies have shown good (10)______ in using implants to watch brain activity and understand (11)______. It’s not known yet how well Neuralink’s technology will work compared to these existing (12)______.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is Neuralink’s new technology trying to do?
2. How would you feel if you could control a computer with your thoughts?
3. Do you think it would be helpful for people who can’t move their bodies to have a device in their brain?
4. Why do you think Neuralink wants to test their technology on people with severe paralysis or ALS?
5. What do you think are some advantages of connecting human brains to computers?
6. How do you think Neuralink’s method of putting tiny threads in the brain works?
7. Do you like the idea of having a robot put threads in your brain? Why or why not?
8. Why do you think Neuralink is facing competition from other companies?
9. What are some other companies that are developing technology for people with paralysis?
10. Do you think it’s important for scientists to understand brain activity and speech through implants?
11. How do you think Neuralink’s technology might be different from existing solutions?
12. Why do you think Neuralink is looking for people to test their technology?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Neuralink
2. technology
3. test
4. device
5. brain
6. movement
7. paralysis
8. competition

Meanings:
(a) Other companies that are trying to do the same thing
(b) Trying something to see if it works
(c) The act of changing position or place
(d) The use of science to create new things
(e) A company that wants to connect brains to computers
(f) A tool or machine that does a specific job
(g) Not being able to move your body
(h) The organ in your head that controls your body
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is Neuralink?
(a) A new technology for computers
(b) A disease that affects the brain
(c) A robot that controls movement
(d) Elon Musk’s company

2. What is the purpose of Neuralink’s technology?
(a) To control a robot with brain signals
(b) To connect human brains to computers
(c) To cure paralysis and ALS
(d) To understand brain activity and speech

3. Who will be tested with Neuralink’s technology?
(a) People who have a disease called ALS
(b) People with severe paralysis
(c) All of these answers
(d) People who can’t move their bodies

4. What will be put in the brain during the test?
(a) A computer chip
(b) A robot
(c) Tiny threads
(d) An app

5. What will the tiny threads do?
(a) Send brain signals to an app
(b) Control movement in the brain
(c) Understand speech
(d) Cure paralysis and ALS

6. What other companies are developing technology for people with paralysis?
(a) Blackrock Neurotech and Precision Neuroscience
(b) Apple and Microsoft
(c) Google and Facebook
(d) Tesla and SpaceX

7. What have recent studies shown about brain implants?
(a) They can control a computer with thoughts
(b) They can cure paralysis and ALS
(c) They can watch brain activity and understand speech
(d) They can connect human brains to computers

8. How well does Neuralink’s technology compare to existing solutions?
(a) It works better than other companies’ methods
(b) It is not known yet
(c) It is the only technology available
(d) It is not as good as other companies’ methods

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Studies have shown failure in using brain implants to monitor brain activity and understand speech.
2. These threads will send brain signals to an app that interprets the person’s intended movements.
3. Neuralink faces competition from other companies like Blackrock Neurotech and Precision Neuroscience.
4. Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, is not creating a new technology that connects human brains to computers.
5. The test involves placing a device in the brain that allows people to control a computer with their thoughts.
6. The technology will be tested on people who cannot move their bodies.
7. Neuralink will use a robot to insert tiny threads into the part of the brain that controls movement.
8. People with mild paralysis or ALS might be able to participate in the test.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is Neuralink’s new technology trying to do?
2. Who will be tested with Neuralink’s new technology?
3. How will the device be put into the brain?
4. What other companies are also developing technology for people with paralysis?
5. What have recent studies shown about using implants to understand speech?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, trying to do with its new technology?
Neuralink is trying to connect human brains to computers.

2. Who will be tested with Neuralink’s technology?
People who can’t move their bodies will be tested with Neuralink’s technology.

3. What will the device in the brain allow people to do?
The device in the brain will allow people to control a computer with their thoughts.

4. How will Neuralink put the threads into the brain?
Neuralink will use a robot to put tiny threads into the part of the brain that controls movement.

5. Who might be able to take part in the test?
People with severe paralysis or a disease called ALS might be able to take part in the test.

6. What are some other companies developing similar technology?
Blackrock Neurotech and Precision Neuroscience are also developing similar technology.

7. What have recent studies shown about using implants to understand speech?
Recent studies have shown that implants can help understand speech by watching brain activity.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) looking
(2) putting
(3) device
(4) thoughts
(5) tiny
(6) movement
(7) take
(8) interfaces
(9) Blackrock
(10) results
(11) speech
(12) solutions
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Neuralink
Answer: (e) A company that wants to connect brains to computers

2. technology
Answer: (d) The use of science to create new things

3. test
Answer: (b) Trying something to see if it works

4. device
Answer: (f) A tool or machine that does a specific job

5. brain
Answer: (h) The organ in your head that controls your body

6. movement
Answer: (c) The act of changing position or place

7. paralysis
Answer: (g) Not being able to move your body

8. competition
Answer: (a) Other companies that are trying to do the same thing
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is Neuralink?
Answer: (d) Elon Musk’s company

2. What is the purpose of Neuralink’s technology?
Answer: (b) To connect human brains to computers

3. Who will be tested with Neuralink’s technology?
Answer: (d) People who can’t move their bodies

4. What will be put in the brain during the test?
Answer: (c) Tiny threads

5. What will the tiny threads do?
Answer: (a) Send brain signals to an app

6. What other companies are developing technology for people with paralysis?
Answer: (a) Blackrock Neurotech and Precision Neuroscience

7. What have recent studies shown about brain implants?
Answer: (c) They can watch brain activity and understand speech

8. How well does Neuralink’s technology compare to existing solutions?
Answer: (b) It is not known yet
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Studies have shown failure in using brain implants to monitor brain activity and understand speech. (Answer: False)
2. These threads will send brain signals to an app that interprets the person’s intended movements. (Answer: False)
3. Neuralink faces competition from other companies like Blackrock Neurotech and Precision Neuroscience. (Answer: True)
4. Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, is not creating a new technology that connects human brains to computers. (Answer: False)
5. The test involves placing a device in the brain that allows people to control a computer with their thoughts. (Answer: True)
6. The technology will be tested on people who cannot move their bodies. (Answer: True)
7. Neuralink will use a robot to insert tiny threads into the part of the brain that controls movement. (Answer: True)
8. People with mild paralysis or ALS might be able to participate in the test. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧