Plush Neuron Project

User guide: Plush Neuron Operating Instructions
Online simulation and curriculum:
- Neuron Sandbox online tool
- Research: Learning to Think Like a Neuron in Middle School, EAAI-25, Philadelphia, 2025.
- Cited in paper: Neuron Sandbox Expanded Worksheets
IDeATe News article: Making AI Approachable (October 28, 2025)
GitHub repository: https://github.com/touretzkyds/PlushNeuron
Internal development folder: Google Drive (private)

Six Plush Neurons

Built in July 2025 at Carnegie Mellon University.

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Alpha Banana BrainCell

Forest Gamer Salsa

Curriculum

Video: Introduction to the Plush Neuron with Cody Soska

Plush Neuron Debut at EAAI-25 in Philadelphia

Dave Touretzky (Carnegie Mellon) and Christina Gardner-McCune (University of Florida), co-chairs of the special track "Resources for Teaching AI in K-12" at EAAI-25 in Philadelphia.

Plush Neuron at AI4MiddleSchools Curriculum Workshop

Amber Jones at the AI4MiddleSchools curriculum workshop in Atlanta, June, 2025.

Plush Neuron at ISAM 2025 in Berkeley, CA

Cody Soska (Carnegie Mellon) demonstrating the Plush Neuron at the International Symposium on Academic Makerspaces (ISAM) in August, 2025 at UC Berkeley.
Image courtsey of Adam Lau/UC Berkeley Engineering. Copyright © UC Regents, all rights reserved.

Under the Skin

Click for larger version

Credits

Concept:	Dave Touretzky
Electronic design:	Cody Soska
Plush technology:	Olivia Robinson and Natalya Pinchuk
Software:	Dave Touretzky
Character design:	Olivia Robinson and Natalya Pinchuk
Electronic assembly:	Zarmond Goodman
Fabrication facility:	IDeATe (Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology) at Carnegie Mellon University
Funding:	The Plush Neuron project was funded by a grant from NEOM Company, and by National Science Foundation award DRL-2049029.