Life Science class explores the body!
The human body is an amazing piece of work! That is what the 7th graders are currently learning about. In pairs, they have each created a Power Point presentation dealing with one of the body systems, then have taken turns presenting it to the class. These presentations are accompanied by labs for each body system. The most recent labs have involved the circulatory and respiratory systems. For the circulatory system the students first tested the heart rates and blood pressures of each other. To learn more about the respiratory system, students tested and compared lung volumes. One variable they tested was whether or not slouching affects lung volume. Their results showed that it reduces lung volume by about 25%! And the first place that minimal oxygen affects is the brain!
The highlight of their studies was the cow heart and lung dissection. Students were able to feel the cartilage of the trachea and see the bronchiole tubes leading into each lung. They could feel light squishy nature of the lung, necessary for gas exchange. By cutting open the heart they were able to view the four chambers, explore the valves, and investigate the thick aorta leading away from the heart. The Life Science class will continue on with the remaining body systems!
