About the Course
How can cats see in the dark? How can snakes smell with their tongues? How do optical illusions trick the brain? You'll answer these questions while exploring the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and the way different organisms' brains process sensory information in order to experience their surroundings. You'll learn about sensory abilities that humans don't have, like electric organs and sonar navigation. In the lab, you and your classmates will dissect organs like a sheep's brain and a cow's eye to explore how senses relate to functionality. You'll discover how the structure of the ear impacts sound location, balance, and hearing loss, and test reflexes to examine conduction of nerve impulses. After getting to know the structure and function of healthy systems, you'll explore examples of disorders and deficiencies. Throughout this course, you'll employ the scientific method by hypothesizing, collecting data, and answering fascinating questions about sensation, perception, and the brain.
Typical Class Size: 14-16
Learning Objectives
- Represent the interaction of the nervous system’s electrochemical impulses as they interact with other body systems and respond to a change in the environment. Explain how the representation is like and unlike the phenomenon it is representing
- Outline how each sensory system monitors and detects physical and chemical signals from the environment and interfaces with the nervous system and internal body systems to coordinate responses and behaviors
- Create a short book, poem, presentation, or other creative medium for a kindergartener explaining one sensory system that follows a pathway from stimulus to response
- Model how the brain serves as a master neurological center for processing information and directing response and different regions of the brain serve different functions
- Predict consequences for an organism when there is a loss of function and coordination within the nervous system as it relates to loss of body function and/or behavior
- Ask testable questions, collect data to the question to support the prediction, analyze data for regularities and patterns in observations and measurements, use qualitative and quantitative evidence and knowledge to interpret data and construct scientific explanations
- Demonstrate awareness of the skills and tools necessary to complete a scientific dissection by observing and critiquing the dissection skills of co-researchers, based on a peer-developed set of criteria
About Advanced Enrichment courses
These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges. Students work individually and may finish the course early if they complete all requirements before the course end date.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
In Person
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
Residential Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course, and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, by Oliver Sacks
The Human Brain Book, by Rita Carter
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Residential Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course, and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, by Oliver Sacks
The Human Brain Book, by Rita Carter
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 8, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course, and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, by Oliver Sacks
The Human Brain Book, by Rita Carter
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid