Classroom Happenings: Nature Neurons

Upper Schoolers in Science Teacher Kristen Householder’s AP Psychology class are studying the brain this semester. 

“As we begin exploring psychological concepts, we first learn about the brain and neurons,” said Ms. Householder. “There are lots of working parts to a neuron; they are the basic functional units of the nervous system. To deepen students’ understanding of how neurons communicate via electrical impulses, I tasked them with creating artwork that represents their structure.” 

The first step was finding materials that could be used to create artistic representations of neural structures. On a sunny fall day, Ms. Householder’s students trekked down to the woods behind the Bryan Innovation Lab to forage for materials. Leaves, twigs, flower petals, stems … students gathered their “art supplies” and got to work. This was a great way to blend Steward’s 2025-26 schoolwide theme of nature with creative expression. 

“I used pieces of leaves, branches, and carnations from the Bryan Innovation Lab gardens to make my nature neuron,” said Laney Vanderbeck ’26. “Physically piecing together this project helped me understand the parts that make up a neuron in a way that sticks, rather than simply taking notes in a classroom. The hands-on approach helped me visualize the nodes, cells, and nucleus that make up a neuron in a new way.”

Ms. Householder said, “This assignment was a great way for students to comprehend some very complex ideas. You can’t explore how neurons transmit signals until you understand their structure, and this nature-inspired lesson helped students bring the intricate details of a neuron to life. It was a beautiful intersection of art and science.”  

Thu Tran ’26 was fascinated by “how neurons quickly and precisely communicate with one another. It’s amazing that tiny electrical impulses can travel through such complex networks to control everything we think, feel, and do. The idea that our thoughts and movements all depend on these microscopic signals is really incredible.” Projects such as this one, said Thu, “make learning more meaningful because they connect science to creativity and the natural world around us. It gave me the chance to explore biology outside the classroom, collaborate with classmates, and appreciate how learning can happen anywhere.” 

Laney added, “Being able to step outside the classroom and connect nature to what we’re learning in the classroom is what makes Steward so great. My teachers are constantly working to find engaging new ways to teach course material to make things more exciting for us. It makes me feel connected to our campus and community in a deeper way.”