Make a homunculus experiment
Create a mini model of yourself with Dr Chris and Dr Xand's skin sensitivity experiment!
- A partner
- Ruler
- Straws
- Scissors
- Sticky tape
- Modelling clay
- Paper
- Pen
- Optional: A photo of your face
Instructions
Step 1: With pen and paper, draw a grid that is seven columns wide and five rows deep.
Step 2: Label each of the top columns with the following: Forehead, Feet, Back, Palm, Tongue and Fingertips.
Step 3: Label each of the left-hand side rows write the following measurements: 10cm, 7cm, 5cm and 1cm.
Step 4: Next, take one straw and carefully聽cut it in half with the help of a grown-up.
Step 5: Using the sticky tape, attach one half of the straw at 0cm on the ruler and the other half at 10cm.
Step 6: Start collecting data by gently pressing one or two straws to your partner's forehead, feet, back and palm. Can your partner correctly identify the amount of straws touching them? Can you tell if it's 1 straw or 2 straws?聽Collect your data and write it down on your worksheet. Don't worry about testing the tongue and fingertips, 10cm is too wide for this part of the test.聽Place crosses in the boxes for tongue and fingertips.
Step 7: Shorten the distance between the straws to 7cm and repeat the test. Place crosses in the boxes for tongue and fingertips.
Step 8: Then do the same again, this time with a distance of 5cm.聽Place crosses in the boxes for tongue and fingertips.
Step 9: Finally, shorten the distance to just 1cm. This is a small enough distance for the straws to touch the fingertips and tongue!
Step 10: Test the fingertips as usual, but before testing the tongue, snip the ends off the straws (get a grown-up to help).
Step 11: Time to analyse the data! The body parts with the highest numbers in your grid are the most sensitive. Let's get modelling!
Step 12: Take your modelling clay and create a miniature model of your body, with the most sensitive parts bigger than the less sensitive body parts.聽
Step 13: Lastly, if you have a photo of your face, attach it to your homunculus! Perfect!
Watch the whole episode of Operation Ouch! Do Try This At Home: Super Sensitive Skin on 大象传媒 iPlayer.