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Activity (Hands-On)Grades 6 - 8

Bioengineering Artificial Limbs with Syringes: An Arm and Leg

Photograph shows a man adjusting a young woman's lower leg prosthetic.Students design and create artificial limbs

As an introduction to bioengineering, student teams are given the engineering challenge to design and build prototype artificial limbs using a simple syringe system and limited resources. As part of a NASA lunar mission scenario, they determine which substance, water (liquid) or air (gas), makes the appendages more efficient.

Bioengineering technologies explore the production of mechanical devices, products, biological substances and organisms that are created to improve health and/or contribute improvements to our daily lives.

After this activity, students should be able to:

  • Describe how movements of bones are dependent upon the interaction of pairs of muscles.
  • Identify the major bones and muscles of the arm and leg.
  • Explain that a force (push or pull) is needed for movement.
  • Explain that movement is a complex process involving more than one body system.
  • List all body systems involved in movement.
  • Describe how the location of muscle attachment is important to the movement of the bone.
  • List and describe the working of different joints.

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