Our Amazing Skeleton
Our amazing skeleton!Copyright 2004 Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA. All rights reserved.
This lesson covers the topic of human bones and joints. Students learn about the skeleton, the number of and types of bones in the body, and how outer space affects astronauts' bones. Students also learn how to take care of their bones here on Earth to prevent osteoporosis ─ or weakening of the bones.
Engineers, particularly biomedical engineers, need to understand how our bones work in order to help take care of our bodies. Engineers who work at NASA are especially interested in how outer space affects astronauts' bones. Bones work together with muscles and joints to produce movement. The human body has many examples of joints, which engineers can mimic when designing machines that improve our lives (machines that save lifes, breathe for people who cannot breathe on their own, exercise muscles, monitor our vital organs, etc). Biomedical engineers create state-of-the-art technology that contribute to the health, happiness and safety of humans. Engineers really make a difference!
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Describe bones and joints and what happens to them in outer space.
- Explain how we can keep our bones strong here on Earth.
- Compare joints in the body to joints in machines.