Can Cells Think?

Maker Faire Bay Area 2026

September 25th-27th

Although we sometimes think of cells as tiny, simple building blocks for complex organisms, even single cells can perform a wide variety of complex behaviors, such as learning and problem solving, that are usually associated with a nervous system or a brain. As just a few examples, cells can solve mazes, coordinate walking gaits, and learn to choose among difference escape responses. How do they do any of this without a brain? I will present some examples of cells that seem to show evidence of cognitive processes, and show the audience how you can explore these behaviors at home with simple apparatus you can build using Arduino controllers, using organisms that can be easily collected in local ponds. i will also discuss some of the implications of cell-cognition for thinking about how our own minds may work.