All grades
Project
8 weeks
Run for the Heart: 5K Fitness Fun!
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Purpose
The purpose of this learning experience is to immerse students in a holistic investigation of cardiovascular health, combining hands-on activities with real-world applications. By working in teams to train for a 5k fun run, tracking biometrics, and creating vlogs to discuss their progress, students will gain insights into physiological processes, develop healthful practices, and apply scientific principles related to energy conversion and matter cycling. This project encourages self-directed learning, critical thinking, and community engagement, enabling students to make informed decisions about their health and fitness.
Learning goals
Students will develop an understanding of the cardiovascular system and its role in physical fitness, particularly in relation to heart rate and physiological responses to exercise. They will gain skills in designing and conducting experiments to measure heart rate and analyze data using technology, applying this knowledge to optimize their training for a 5k run. Working in teams of four, students will explore biometrics and heart-related activities, creating vlogs to document their journey. Additionally, students will explore the importance of nutrition and injury prevention in maintaining heart health and achieving personal performance goals. Through collaboration with community partners, students will enhance their understanding of energy conversion and the cycling of matter in aerobic and anaerobic conditions, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Standards
- [National Core Arts Standards] DA:Pr5.1.I.b - Develop a plan for healthful practices in dance activities and everyday life including nutrition and injury prevention. Discuss implementation of the plan and how it supports personal performance goals.
- [Next Generation Science Standards] HS-PS3-3 - Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.
- [Next Generation Science Standards] HS-LS2-3 - Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for the cycling of matter and flow of energy in aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
Competencies
- Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
- Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
Products
Throughout this project, students will work in teams of four to create a detailed model of the heart and cardiovascular system, demonstrating their understanding of its structure and function. They will also design personalized nutrition and training plans, documenting their progress and physiological changes as they prepare for the 5k fun run. By the end of the project, students will have participated in the 5k event, showcasing their improved cardiovascular health and fitness levels. Additionally, teams will explore aspects of their biometrics and produce a collaborative video blog (vlog) about their training process, capturing their journey and reflections, which will be showcased at the final exhibition.
Launch
Begin the project with an engaging trip to the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, where students can witness professional athletes using heart-rate training to enhance their performance. Upon returning, organize students into teams of four to collaborate on a 'Heart Rate Discovery Day' at school, featuring interactive stations for measuring heart rates during activities such as jumping rope, dancing, and resting. Encourage teams to start recording their experiences and insights in a video blog (vlog) format, exploring their biometrics and reflections, which they will continue to develop throughout the project and exhibit at the learning showcase.
Exhibition
Students will host an exhibition where they present their learning journey through interactive booths featuring heart rate experiments, nutrition plans, and energy conversion devices. Working in teams of four, they will showcase video blogs (vlogs) documenting their training process, biometrics tracking, and personal reflections on cardiovascular health improvements. Additionally, students will organize a '5K Training Showcase' to demonstrate their training routines and share live dance activities that promote heart health, inviting community members and families to explore and engage with the exhibits.
Plan
| Week 1 |
Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase |
Project Activities
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| Activities |
Project Introduction
Activity
Heart Rate Basics
Activity
Heart Rate Practice
Activity
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Field Trip Preparation
Activity
Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center Visit
Activity
|
Field Trip Reflection
Activity
Heart Rate Discovery Day Planning
Activity
|
Heart Rate Discovery Day Setup
Activity
Heart Rate Discovery Day
Activity
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Data Sharing and Analysis
Activity
Introduction to Heart Models
Activity
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| Preparation | |||||
| Week 2 |
Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase |
Project Activities
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| Activities |
Exploring the Cardiovascular System
Activity
Building Simple Heart Models
Activity
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Heart Model Construction Continues
Activity
Peer Feedback on Models
Activity
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Introduction to Energy Conversion
Activity
Designing Energy Conversion Devices
Activity
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Building Energy Conversion Prototypes
Activity
Reflection on Energy Conversion
Activity
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Energy Conversion Device Testing
Activity
Reflection and Goal Setting
Activity
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| Preparation | |||||
| Week 3 |
Day 11
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Day 12
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Day 13
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Day 14
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Day 15
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase |
Project Activities
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| Activities |
Nutrition and Heart Health Introduction
Activity
Analyzing Nutritional Labels
Activity
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Heart-Healthy Meal Planning
Activity
Peer Review of Meal Plans
Activity
|
Dance and Cardiovascular Health Exploration
Activity
Reflection on Dance Activities
Activity
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Analyzing Heart Rate Data
Activity
Introduction to Training Plans
Activity
|
Designing Personal Training Plans
Activity
Sharing and Feedback on Training Plans
Activity
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| Preparation | |||||
| Week 4 |
Day 16
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Day 17
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Day 18
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Day 19
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Day 20
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase |
Project Activities
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| Activities |
Heart Rate Monitoring Skills
Activity
Personalized Training Plan Development
Activity
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Nutrition and Heart Health Workshop
Activity
Reflective Journaling
Activity
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Energy Conversion Device Refinement
Activity
Peer Review and Feedback
Activity
|
Heart Model Enhancement
Activity
Interactive Learning Stations
Activity
|
Preparing for Heart Health Fair
Activity
Weekly Reflection
Activity
|
| Preparation | |||||
| Week 5 |
Day 21
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Day 22
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Day 23
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Day 24
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Day 25
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase |
Project Activities
|
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| Activities |
Heart Rate Data Analysis
Activity
Training Plan Adjustment Workshop
Activity
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Energy Conversion Device Enhancement
Activity
Device Testing and Troubleshooting
Activity
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Cardiovascular System Review Game
Activity
Heart Model Presentation Prep
Activity
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Nutrition Plan Revision
Activity
Peer Feedback on Nutrition Plans
Activity
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Reflective Journaling
Activity
Heart Health Fair Finalization
Activity
|
| Preparation | |||||
| Week 6 |
Day 26
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Day 27
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Day 28
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Day 29
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Day 30
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase |
Project Activities
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| Activities |
Energy Conversion Device Refinement
Activity
Heart Health Fair Presentation Prep
Activity
|
Nutrition and Energy Workshop
Activity
Reflective Journaling
Activity
|
5K Training Plan Review
Activity
Peer Feedback on Training Plans
Activity
|
Interactive Heart Health Stations
Activity
Heart Health Fair Finalization
Activity
|
Heart Health Fair Execution
Activity
Reflective Journaling
Activity
|
| Preparation | |||||
| Week 7 |
Day 31
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Day 32
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Day 33
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Day 34
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Day 35
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase |
Project Activities
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| Activities |
Heart Rate Monitoring Review
Activity
Training Showcase Preparation
Activity
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Dance Activities Rehearsal
Activity
Peer Feedback Session
Activity
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Exhibit Setup for Heart Health Fair
Activity
Final Touches on Heart Models
Activity
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Energy Conversion Device Display Preparation
Activity
Reflective Journaling
Activity
|
5K Training Showcase
Activity
Heart Health Fair Execution
Activity
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| Preparation | |||||
| Week 8 |
Day 36
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Day 37
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Day 38
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Day 39
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Day 40
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase |
Project Activities
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| Activities |
Final Heart Model Enhancements
Activity
Heart Model Presentation Rehearsal
Activity
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Reflective Journaling
Activity
5K Training Showcase Preparation
Activity
|
5K Training Showcase Execution
Activity
Peer and Teacher Feedback Session
Activity
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Heart Health Symposium Preparation
Activity
Rehearsal for Heart Health Symposium
Activity
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Heart Health Symposium Execution
Activity
Final Reflection and Celebration
Activity
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| Preparation | |||||