How Memory Formation Works¶
An interactive step-through MicroSim that walks learners through the four stages of memory formation using a concrete example: meeting someone new named Sarah at a party.
Learning Objective¶
Understand how the brain processes information to create memories through the stages of encoding, storage, long-term storage, and retrieval (Bloom Level 2 - Understand).
- Bloom Level: Understand (L2)
- Bloom Verb: Explain, describe
- Library: Custom HTML/CSS/JavaScript with SVG
Preview¶
The Four Stages¶
- Encoding — Sensory Input. Your senses (eyes, ears, context) gather information about Sarah: her face, her red dress, her voice saying "Hi, I'm Sarah," and the party setting around you.
- Storage — Hippocampus Processing. The hippocampus performs pattern recognition, associates her name with her face, tags the context (party, Friday, happy), and consolidates it into a temporary memory.
- Long-term Storage — Cortex. With repetition and sleep, the memory moves from the hippocampus to the cerebral cortex, where synaptic connections strengthen and the memory becomes permanent.
- Retrieval. When you see Sarah again, that visual cue triggers the hippocampus to reactivate the cortex regions storing her memory, and you recognize her: "That's Sarah from the party!"
What Happens in Dementia¶
After stepping through all four stages, the MicroSim reveals what goes wrong in dementia: hippocampus damage disrupts encoding, so new memories fail to form, while old memories already living in the cortex are preserved longer. This explains why a person with dementia may not remember what they ate for breakfast but can still recall their wedding day.
How to Use This MicroSim¶
- Use Next and Previous to step through each of the four stages.
- Use Show All to see every stage side-by-side for comparison.
- Use Reset to return to Stage 1.
- Answer the four multiple-choice quiz questions at the bottom to check your understanding — a perfect score triggers a celebration.