Protect That Pill
Students reinforce their knowledge of the different parts of the digestive system and explore the concept of simulation by developing a pill coating that can withstand the churning actions and acidic environment found in the stomach. Teams test the coating durability by using a clear soda to simulate stomach acid.
Students explore pill coatingsCopyright 2007 Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:VariousPills.jpg
Surprisingly, much design goes in to developing pill tablet coatings and the systems that apply these coatings. Varying the material or thickness of a coating can dramatically affect a medication's effect on the body. Engineers play an integral role in this process, from developing and testing chemicals for coatings to designing the complex systems used to mass produce uniformly-coated pills.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe how simulation is used to test the human body's reaction to medication.
- Explain how engineers can directly and indirectly help people who are suffering from medical issues, specifically those relating to the digestive system.
- Describe the function of the stomach in the human digestion process.