Breathe In, Breathe Out
The human respiratory system.Copyright Girls Health.gov http://www.4girls.gov/body/respiratory.jpg
Students are introduced to the respiratory system, the lungs and air. They learn about how the lungs and diaphragm work, how air pollution affects lungs and respiratory functions, some widespread respiratory problems, and how engineers help us stay healthy by designing machines and medicines that support respiratory health and function. Students then get to create their own model respiratory system using the associated activity to investigate real life engineering applications.
Some engineers work with doctors to find engineering solutions to problems affecting the human body and the respiratory system. Engineers use their knowledge of respiration, air flow, fluid flow and membranes to devise systems to provide functions of the respiratory system to patients when their respiratory system, or parts of it, fail. Examples include medicines and inhalers, pulmonary function testing and screening equipment (spirometers), and heart-lung bypass devices (artificial lungs).
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- List several causes and effects of decreased respiratory system function.
- Describe technologies that engineers have designed to improve the health and function of the respiratory system.