Creating Model Working Lungs: Just Breathe
Students explore the inhalation/exhalation process that occurs in the lungs during respiration. Using everyday materials, each student team creates a model pair of lungs.
Figure 1. The human chest cavity.Copyright National Institute of Standards and Technology, Advanced Technology Program http://www.atp.nist.gov/eao/sp950-2/eai_1.jpg
By studying the respiratory system, engineers have created technologies such as the heart-lung machine, which keeps patients alive during heart transplants. Engineers are currently working on creating an implantable, artificial lung to aid people with serious lung diseases. One way that engineers study complicated systems is by creating models, similar to how students create their own model lungs in this activity.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe the function of the respiratory system.
- Create a model of the lungs and explain what happens to them when you inhale and exhale.
- Give examples of engineering advancements that have helped with respiratory systems.