Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, is looking for people to take part in its first human trial of brain-implant technology. The goal is to connect human brains to computers, and they are specifically looking for individuals who have paralysis. In the trial, a brain-computer interface (BCI) will be implanted, which will allow participants to control a computer cursor or type using their thoughts. The trial has been approved by the FDA, but other companies have already implanted BCI devices in humans. Neuralink’s implant has 64 flexible threads that are placed on a part of the brain responsible for movement. The brain signals will be sent wirelessly to an app that will interpret the intended movements. People with quadriplegia or ALS might be able to take part in the trial. While Neuralink has an advantage with their robot-assisted implantation procedure, it’s still unclear how accurate and reliable their method will be compared to other companies in the long run.

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:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Provide each group with a copy of the article or project it on a screen.
3. Give the groups a few minutes to read and discuss the article.
4. Instruct each group to write a summary of the article in their own words, highlighting the key points.
5. After a set amount of time, have each group present their summary to the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Give each group a list of discussion questions related to the article.
3. Instruct the groups to discuss each question and come up with their own answers.
4. After discussing all the questions, have each group share their opinions with the class.
5. Facilitate a class discussion, encouraging students to compare and debate their different viewpoints.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions:
1. Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board.
2. Divide the class into teams.
3. Assign one person from each team to come to the board.
4. Call out a word from the list and give the students 30 seconds to draw a picture representation of the word.
5. The team members must guess the word based on the drawing.
6. Award points to the team that guesses correctly within the time limit.
7. Repeat with different words and rotate team members.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into two groups: one representing the pros and one representing the cons.
2. Assign each group to come up with arguments to support their position on the topic of brain-implant technology.
3. Give the groups time to brainstorm and prepare their arguments.
4. Have each group present their arguments to the class, taking turns and allowing for rebuttals.
5. Facilitate a class discussion, encouraging students to evaluate and analyze the different perspectives.

– Pass the Story
Instructions:
1. Sit in a circle with the students.
2. Start by saying the first sentence of a story related to the article, e.g. “Once upon a time, in a world where human brains could connect to computers…”
3. The next student adds the next sentence to the story, and so on, passing it around the circle.
4. Each student should try to incorporate vocabulary or ideas from the article into their sentence.
5. Continue until the story reaches a natural conclusion or a set time limit is reached.
6. Have the last student in the circle share the final story with the class.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the goal of Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink?
2. Who are they specifically looking for to participate in their first human trial?
3. What will the brain-computer interface (BCI) allow participants to do?
4. Has the trial been approved by the FDA?
5. How many flexible threads does Neuralink’s implant have?
6. What part of the brain are the flexible threads placed on?
7. Who might be able to take part in the trial?
8. How does Neuralink’s implantation procedure compare to other companies’ methods in terms of accuracy and reliability?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, is looking for people to take part in its (1)______ (2)______ (3)______ of brain-implant technology. The goal is to connect human brains to computers, and they are specifically looking for individuals who have (4)______. In the trial, a brain-computer (5)______ (BCI) will be implanted, which will (6)______ participants to control a computer (7)______ or type using their thoughts. The trial has been approved by the FDA, but other (8)______ have already implanted BCI devices in (9)______. Neuralink’s implant has 64 flexible threads that are placed on a part of the brain (10)______ for (11)______. The brain signals will be sent wirelessly to an app that will (12)______ the intended movements. People with quadriplegia or ALS might be able to take part in the trial. While (13)______ has an advantage with their robot-assisted implantation (14)______, it’s still unclear how accurate and reliable their method will be (15)______ to (16)______ companies in the long run.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a brain-computer interface (BCI)?
2. How would you feel if you could control a computer cursor using just your thoughts?
3. Do you think it would be helpful for people with paralysis to be able to type using their thoughts? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about the idea of connecting human brains to computers?
5. Why do you think Neuralink is specifically looking for individuals with paralysis for their human trial?
6. How do you think the brain signals will be sent wirelessly to the app?
7. Do you know anyone with quadriplegia or ALS? How do you think they would feel about the opportunity to participate in the trial?
8. What advantages do you think Neuralink’s robot-assisted implantation procedure might have?
9. How accurate and reliable do you think Neuralink’s method will be compared to other companies in the long run?
10. Do you think brain-implant technology will become more common in the future? Why or why not?
11. What concerns or fears do you have about connecting human brains to computers?
12. How do you think this technology could potentially benefit society?
13. Would you be willing to participate in a human trial for brain-implant technology? Why or why not?
14. Do you think there are any ethical considerations with connecting human brains to computers? Why or why not?
15. How do you think this technology could impact the lives of people with disabilities?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Neuralink
2. human
3. trial
4. brain
5. computer
6. implant
7. movement
8. reliable

Meanings:
(a) The organ in your head that controls your body
(b) A person
(c) Able to be trusted or depended on
(d) A device that is put inside the body
(e) The act of changing position or location
(f) A machine that can perform tasks and store information
(g) A test or experiment
(h) Elon Musk’s company that works with brain technology
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the goal of Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink?
(a) To connect human brains to computers
(b) To develop self-driving cars
(c) To create virtual reality games
(d) To build rockets for space exploration

2. Who is Neuralink specifically looking for to participate in their first human trial?
(a) Individuals with perfect vision
(b) Individuals with hearing loss
(c) Individuals with paralysis
(d) Individuals with diabetes

3. What does the brain-computer interface (BCI) implant allow participants to do?
(a) Control a computer cursor or type using their thoughts
(b) Control their heart rate and blood pressure
(c) Control their dreams while sleeping
(d) Control their body temperature

4. How many flexible threads does Neuralink’s implant have?
(a) 32
(b) 64
(c) 128
(d) 256

5. Where are the flexible threads of Neuralink’s implant placed in the brain?
(a) On a part of the brain responsible for memory
(b) On a part of the brain responsible for vision
(c) On a part of the brain responsible for hearing
(d) On a part of the brain responsible for movement

6. How will the brain signals be sent from the implant to an app?
(a) Through a wired connection
(b) Through Bluetooth technology
(c) Through a USB cable
(d) Wirelessly

7. Who might be able to participate in the trial?
(a) People with perfect health
(b) People with quadriplegia or ALS
(c) People with allergies
(d) People with broken bones

8. What advantage does Neuralink have with their implantation procedure?
(a) Laser-assisted implantation
(b) Magnetic-assisted implantation
(c) Robot-assisted implantation
(d) Manual implantation

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, is not searching for people to participate in a trial for brain-implant technology.
2. The trial has received approval from the FDA, but other companies have already implanted similar devices in humans.
3. The goal of the trial is to disconnect human brains from computers.
4. People with quadriplegia or ALS might have the opportunity to participate in the trial.
5. The brain signals will be sent wirelessly to an app that will interpret the intended movements.
6. The brain-implant technology will allow participants to control a computer cursor or type using their thoughts.
7. They are specifically looking for individuals who do not have paralysis to take part in the trial.
8. Neuralink’s implant consists of 32 flexible threads that are placed on a part of the brain responsible for vision.
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 the goal of Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink?
2. Who are they specifically looking for to participate in their first human trial?
3. What will the brain-computer interface (BCI) allow participants to do?
4. How many flexible threads does Neuralink’s implant have?
5. Who are the potential candidates for participating in the trial?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the goal of Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink?
The goal of Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, is to connect human brains to computers.

2. Who are they specifically looking for to participate in their first human trial?
They are specifically looking for individuals who have paralysis.

3. What will the brain-computer interface (BCI) allow participants to do?
The brain-computer interface (BCI) will allow participants to control a computer cursor or type using their thoughts.

4. Has the trial been approved by the FDA?
Yes, the trial has been approved by the FDA.

5. How many flexible threads does Neuralink’s implant have?
Neuralink’s implant has 64 flexible threads.

6. What part of the brain are the flexible threads placed on?
The flexible threads are placed on a part of the brain responsible for movement.

7. Who might be able to take part in the trial?
People with quadriplegia or ALS might be able to take part in the trial.

8. How does Neuralink’s implantation procedure compare to other companies’ methods in terms of accuracy and reliability?
It is still unclear how accurate and reliable Neuralink’s method will be compared to other companies in the long run.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) first
(2) human
(3) trial
(4) paralysis
(5) interface
(6) allow
(7) cursor
(8) companies
(9) humans
(10) responsible
(11) movement
(12) interpret
(13) Neuralink
(14) procedure
(15) compared
(16) other
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Neuralink
Answer: (h) Elon Musk’s company that works with brain technology

2. human
Answer: (b) A person

3. trial
Answer: (g) A test or experiment

4. brain
Answer: (a) The organ in your head that controls your body

5. computer
Answer: (f) A machine that can perform tasks and store information

6. implant
Answer: (d) A device that is put inside the body

7. movement
Answer: (e) The act of changing position or location

8. reliable
Answer: (c) Able to be trusted or depended on
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the goal of Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink?
Answer: (a) To connect human brains to computers

2. Who is Neuralink specifically looking for to participate in their first human trial?
Answer: (c) Individuals with paralysis

3. What does the brain-computer interface (BCI) implant allow participants to do?
Answer: (a) Control a computer cursor or type using their thoughts

4. How many flexible threads does Neuralink’s implant have?
Answer: (b) 64

5. Where are the flexible threads of Neuralink’s implant placed in the brain?
Answer: (d) On a part of the brain responsible for movement

6. How will the brain signals be sent from the implant to an app?
Answer: (d) Wirelessly

7. Who might be able to participate in the trial?
Answer: (b) People with quadriplegia or ALS

8. What advantage does Neuralink have with their implantation procedure?
Answer: (c) Robot-assisted implantation
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, is not searching for people to participate in a trial for brain-implant technology. (Answer: False)
2. The trial has received approval from the FDA, but other companies have already implanted similar devices in humans. (Answer: True)
3. The goal of the trial is to disconnect human brains from computers. (Answer: False)
4. People with quadriplegia or ALS might have the opportunity to participate in the trial. (Answer: True)
5. The brain signals will be sent wirelessly to an app that will interpret the intended movements. (Answer: True)
6. The brain-implant technology will allow participants to control a computer cursor or type using their thoughts. (Answer: True)
7. They are specifically looking for individuals who do not have paralysis to take part in the trial. (Answer: False)
8. Neuralink’s implant consists of 32 flexible threads that are placed on a part of the brain responsible for vision. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧