Units2

Physiology Units for In-service Workshops.

Neural Networks (middle school level)

The unit covers aspects of neurophysiology and neural responses that are important to the functioning of many body systems. It is designed to provide students with a scientific basis for understanding “reflexes,” especially why reflexes are special types of responses and how reflexes can/cannot be modified. This unit can be used as an integrative review of these topics, or selected activities can be used to introduce some of the topics. This unit was written by a team of middle school teachers and research physiologists from the Columbus, OH area to be useful for “Biology” and “Life Sciences” classes or for modeling the scientific method.

ENGAGE - What can you observe about reflexes and reactions? (video)
EXPLORE - What do you know about reflexes? (concept map)
EXPLAIN- Reflexes and reactions - an overview (interactive)
ELABORATE - Is heart rate constant? (guided inquiry with pulse)
ELABORATE - Effects of external stimuli on reaction times (open inquiry with knee jerk, pupillary reflex, ect.)
EVALUATE - What do you know now about reflexes and reactions? (concept map reprise)

Physiology of Exercise (middle school level)

The unit covers aspects of cardiovascular and respiratory physiology that are important in exercise and fitness. It is designed to provide middle school students with a basic understanding of how the heart and the lungs work together when someone exercises. The unit can be used as an integrative review of these topics, or selected activities from the unit could be used to introduce some of the topics. This unit was written by a middle school science teacher and a research physiologist from Vermillion, SD to be useful in “Biology”, “Life Sciences”, or “Health” classes or for modeling the scientific method.

ENGAGE- What do you know about the effects of exercise? (video, questionnaire, KWL or T-chart)
EXPLORE - How do your heart and lungs work together? (scientific measurements with pulse, breathing rate)
EXPLAIN - How does exercise affect the cartiovascular and respiratory systems? (interactive with role play)
ELABORATE - The Elvis Experiment Papers (open inquiry for blood flow and resistance)
EVALUATE - Cardiovascular system and exercise (reprise)

Physiology of Fitness (high school level)

(With extensions for AP classes)

This unit covers aspects of cardiovascular and respiratory physiology that are important in exercise and fitness. It is designed to provide students with a scientific basis for understanding “fitness” – especially why it varies between individuals, and how one can improve their fitness. The unit can be used as an integrative review of these topics, or selected activities could be used to introduce some of the topics. This unit was written by a team of high school teachers and research physiologists from the San Diego, CA area to be useful for “Health” or “Physical Education” classes, as well as “Biology”, “AP Biology” or “Anatomy and Physiology” classes or for modeling the scientific method.

ENGAGE - What do you know about the effects of exercise? ( video, questionnaire, KWL, or T-chart)
EXPLORE - How do your heart and lungs work together? (scientific measurements with pulse, breathing rate)
EXPLAIN - How does exercise affect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems? (interactive and role play)
ELABORATE - Is heart rate constant? (guided inquiry for baroreflex or exercise)
EVALUATE - Cardiovascular system and exercise (reprise)

Cell-ebration: What makes cell membranes selectively permeable?
(middle school level)

This unit was designed for middle school students to learn and to extend the basic principles of cell structure and function to include what makes the organelle, the cell membrane, only selectively permeable to molecules. The major concepts covered in this unit include: structure of the cell and organelles (a review), structure of the cell membrane (new), functions of the cell membrane (new), and selective permeability of the cell membrane (new). The unit was written by a team of middle school science teachers and a research physiologist from the Vermillion, SD area to be useful for “Biology” or “Life Sciences” classes or for modeling the scientific method. The unit includes an Internet activity to review cell structure and function via web site that was custom-designed for middle school students.

ENGAGE - Alphabet review activity, Internet activity (custom-designed web site)
EXPLORE - Which baggie? (guided inquiry), Just passing through or it's in the bag (guided inquiry)
EXPLAIN - Background material on the structure and function of cell membranes
ELABORATE - Crossing over: A selectively permeable membrane (open inquiry)
EVALUATE - Individual students rubrics for group work, individual student report rubric, alphabet review activity, Internet quiz, student activity sheets.

Visit the pages of our sponsors:

This page was last updated Sep. 8th 2000
Page created by Patrick Ireland patric@ireland.com