A WebQuest for Grades 9-12
A combination museum and amusement park is being planned for your hometown. Each section of the amusement park will be related to one of the exhibits in the museum. You and your classmates have been asked to design an activity for the circulatory system section of the park.
You will work in groups of three to create for the amusement park a ride or other activity related to the museum's circulatory system exhibit. Some examples of such activities might be: "The Tunnel of Blood," a scary cruise through dark and treacherous blood vessels; the "Aortic Rupture" roller coaster; a "Pumper Hearts," collision course; "Plaque Attack"… Be as creative as possible in designing your activity, but keep in mind that the activity must be anatomically accurate and scientifically plausible.
Working in groups of three:
- Step 1: Ask one member of your group to explore the resources provided to learn what the human circulatory system looks like and how it functions. Have that student sketch a rough outline of a human body, and then sketch and label within that outline a diagram of the blood vessels and blood flow of the human circulatory system.
- Step 2: Ask another member of the group to explore the resources provided to learn about the structure and function of the human heart. Have that student sketch and label a diagram of the heart and indicate within the body outline where the heart would be located.
- Step 3: Ask the third member of the group to explore the resources provided to learn about the structure and function of the lungs. Have that student sketch and label a diagram of the lings and indicate within the body outline where the lungs would be located.
- Step 4: Get together as a group to study the diagrams and discuss how the human circulatory system functions.
- Step 5: Explore together or individually the amusement park resources provided, and then work together to decide what kind of activity you think would be most appropriate for this section of the amusement park.
- Step 6: Design and sketch your activity. Be sure to include detailed notes on how the activity will work. Remember, the activity must be anatomically accurate and scientifically plausible.
- Step 7: Present your design to your classmates. If possible, create a working scale model of the activity for your presentation.
General Anatomy Resources
Circulatory System Resources
Systemic Circulation Resources
Heart Resources
Lung Resources
Amusement Park Resources
Your grade will reflect:
- the anatomical accuracy of your design. (25 percent)
- the physics accuracy of your design. (25 percent)
- the creativity of your design. (20 percent)
- your written explanation of your design. (15 percent)
- your contribution to the group process. (15 percent)
What will park visitors learn from the activity you designed? How might your activity contribute to or extend the information provided by the museum?
Click here for the The Ride of Their Lives Teacher Page.
Article by Linda Starr
Education World®
Copyright © 2004 Education World
02/04/2004
Links Updated 5/28/2004
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