Overview of STEP Curriculum Module-Summer 2006

I. Title of Module:

II. Author:

III. Grade Level:

IV. Nature of The Students:

V. Purposes (Course Objectives):

  1. Students will learn about structure and function of different organs and organ systems using dissecting and analysis techniques.
  2. Students will be able to collect, organize, analyze, compare and interpret data obtained.
  3. Students will be able to describe the importance of food webs and food chains that exist in different communities and ecosystems.
  4. Students will be able to model and simulate the process of digestion and understand the different stages involved in this important body system.
  5. Students will be able to determine the concentration of Vitamin C in various food products such as fruits, vegetables, and others.
  6. Students will be able to identify the macronutrients that are contained in solutions of unknown composition and their impact on health.

 

VI. Overview: (Course Description): 

  1. This course offers high school students the opportunity to investigate biological concepts that apply to the field of anatomy and physiology. The activities include dissecting, performing a urine analysis simulation, learning different techniques to test the well functioning of the five senses, and performing various breathing tests to assess the condition of an individual’s lungs.
  2. The dissection of a Pig is used to analyze structure and function.  The data obtained will be used to better understand body systems of the pig and the human in terms of their structural/functional similarities and differences. 
  3. The dissection of the owl pellet is used to analyze and overview the habits of raptors such as the Barn owl, their hunting adaptations, and their divisions.  This activity focuses on understanding prey consumption, digestion, and the process of pellet formation.  Emphasis is made on identifying pellet content to study food webs and food chains.
  4. The digestion simulation activity introduces students to the processes of digestion, including gastric digestion, intestinal digestion, and absorption in the small intestine.
  5. In order to gain an understanding of chemicals that have a physiological effect on the body, students will analyze and quantify various sources of Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).
  6. The macronutrients activity will guide students into performing several chemical tests to identify the presence of macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids in different food products.  Students will analyze the results to make correlations between nutrition and its impact on health.  

 

The schedule of activities is outlined below: 

SCHEDULE    

Day # Activity

  1. Pig dissection part 1
  2. Pig dissection part 2
  3. Pig dissection part 3
  4. Owl pellet dissection part 1
  5. Owl pellet dissection part 2
  6. Digestion
  7. Vitamin C        
  8. Macronutrients

 

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Last Updated December 8, 2005 by Roz Krakowsky
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