Making Neuroanatomy Tangible Through Brain Modelling

What does the brain actually look like? Why not try modelling it yourself?

In collaboration with Ilse Arnoldussen from Radboudumc, we developed an innovative project to help students build spatial understanding of neuroanatomy. The aim was to support students in grasping how the brain is structured. An essential but often difficult aspect to visualise using traditional methods such as two-dimensional scans.

The idea was to have students reconstruct the brain themselves using clay. We developed an online instruction supported by 3D models, guiding students step by step in building their own clay brain model. This approach proved highly effective. The instruction was later introduced at the Museum voor Anatomie en Pathologie (Museum for Anatomy and Pathology), where students from Twente University enthusiastically engaged in constructing brain models. This resulted in very positive course evaluations.

The project focused on developing clear and structured clay-building instructions. Over the course of the process, the learning objectives were defined, as well as which knowledge should be addressed at each stage. This led to the creation of a glossary covering all nuclei and brain regions that students were expected to memorise. This way, a solid educational design underpinned the entire learning experience.

The combination of visual and hands-on (haptic) learning not only improved students’ understanding of anatomy, it also introduced an innovative teaching approach that has been highly appreciated by both lecturers and students.