Medical imaging
Taking a closer look at the techniques used to scan brain tissue
In this starter activity students will consider how engineers have created different and safe techniques of scanning brain tissue. The lesson teaches them the principles of fMRI and why it's preferable to X-rays for brain imaging.
It’s one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in science and design and technology (DT). This lesson along with Engineers can read your mind and Electromagnetic waves allow students to investigate the wide range of sophisticated imaging technology available in modern hospitals, and to explore the latest ideas in search-and-rescue robotics.
Activity: Taking a closer look at the techniques used to scan brain tissue
This activity starts with watching our short Mind Mapping film, which demonstrates an fMRI machine capturing real-time brain activity. Students will then discuss why X-rays would be unsuitable for the same purpose, focusing on the properties of the different types of radiation (this can be supported with our Properties of X-rays presentation).
We also have a quick to test students’ knowledge of biomedical signal processing.
Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan on medical imaging.
The engineering context
The use of different types of signals is hugely important in all areas of healthcare. Signal processing engineers are involved in everything from extracting information from the body’s own electrical and chemical signals to using wireless signals to allow search-and-rescue robot swarms to communicate with each other.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this lesson, students will appreciate that there are particular reasons why certain types of medical imaging are used to diagnose certain conditions. They’ll also learn that different types of waves have different properties and what some of these properties are (e.g. the ability to penetrate solid matter with differing degrees of reflection). Finally, they’ll be aware that long exposure to certain types of waves (e.g. X-rays) can be harmful.
Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download (including video clips!), and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Download our classroom lesson plan and presentation below.
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