LabLearner—The Science of Learning
LabLearner—The Science of Learning

Teacher Portal:

The Human Body

Investigation 1 – Lab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Investigation 1

ASK WHY

The human body is organized into systems that are made up of many parts and that these systems each perform both individual and complementary functions that occur at the same time in the body.

BRANCH OUT

Athletic trainers and sports medicine doctors help athletes perform at the highest levels they can. In addition, they help athletes to recover from injuries so that they can once again perform at their maximum potential.

BE PREPARED

Class materials:
  • 1 timer/stopwatch
  • 1 paperclip
  • 1 notebook, workbook, or textbook
  • 1 large (12 g) bear
  • 1 non-transparent bag
  • 1 piece of paper
  • 1 roll of masking tape
  • 1 human torso
  • 1 human body flip chart
  • 1 skeleton
Pair materials:
  • 1 metric ruler
Individual materials: 
  • 1 Student Data Record

Teacher Preparation

    1. Place the paper clip, book, and gram bear in a non-transparent bag.
    2. Place the metric rulers at a central distribution point.
    3. Open the flip chart so that the diagram of the nervous system is displayed.
    4. Place the human torso and skeleton at a central location in the lab.
    5. Draw the following series of shapes on the board.  Cover the series with a piece of paper so that the students are unable to see it.

6. Separate the class into pairs.

7. Review the Teacher Video in preparation for the lab.

 

GET FOCUSED

During this investigation, students will conduct four trials to aid them in answering one key question:

  • What is the function of the nervous system?

INVESTIGATE

1. Direct each student pair to obtain the following necessary materials from the distribution point: 

one (1) metric ruler.

2. Before students begin the investigation, prepare them for Trial 4.  Show students the pattern of shapes on the board.

Tell them to study it, because later in the investigation they will be asked to remember the shapes and the pattern.  Allow students to look at the shapes for approximately one to two minutes, but do not allow them to draw the shapes on a piece of paper.  During Trial 4, students will be asked to recall this series of shapes to illustrate a fourth function of the nervous system—processing and recalling.  After one or two minutes, cover the shapes with a piece of paper.

3. View the Student Video for detailed instructions to help students conduct each trial.

KEYS

CLEAN UP

Let students know your expectations for clean-up. Ask them to clean up.