All grades  Project 4 weeks

Muscle Motion Madness: Spring Edition

STEPHEN L
PS.2.A
HS-PS2-1
PS.2.B
HS-PS2-1
PS.2.C
+ 2 more
1-pager

Purpose

In this interdisciplinary project, students will explore the principles of forces and motion through the lens of muscle health and human movement. By collaborating with medical professionals and engaging in hands-on activities, students will deepen their understanding of Newton's laws and their application in real-world contexts, focusing on optimizing muscle function. Through creating a community health triage portfolio and organizing a health fair, students will demonstrate their skills in analyzing data, communicating results, and advocating for community wellness, all while meeting key learning standards and competencies.

Learning goals

Students will analyze Newton's second law of motion through collecting and interpreting data related to muscle movement and force application. They will explore the types of interactions affecting muscle efficiency, considering factors like nutrition and exercise. By engaging with medical professionals and presenting at a community health fair, students will practice effective communication, demonstrating their understanding of muscle health in various formats. Furthermore, students will employ critical thinking to assess how external factors may influence muscle development, drawing connections to real-world health challenges and strategies.
Standards
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] PS.2.A - Forces and Motion
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] HS-PS2-1 - Analyze data to support the claim that Newton's second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] PS.2.B - Types of Interactions
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] HS-PS2-1 - Analyze data to support the claim that Newton's second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] PS.2.C - Stability and Instability in Physical Systems
Competencies
  • Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
  • 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

Students will develop a Community Health Triage Portfolio, which includes a Systems Impact Analysis Report, an Environmental Factor Overview, and an Exposure Pathway Diagram. This portfolio will also explain cellular and organ-level impacts, mapping disruptions of homeostasis and interactions among affected body systems. Additionally, students will organize a health fair to demonstrate exercise and nutrition plans that optimize muscle function, drawing from their research and analysis. These products will help communicate their learning to the community and highlight practical strategies for improving muscle health.

Launch

Kick off the learning experience with an interactive demonstration led by Children's Hospital Los Angeles medical professionals focused on muscles and motion. Students will engage in activities that show the effects of exercise and nutrition on muscle efficiency, including live demonstrations of muscle health monitoring techniques. This launch not only sparks curiosity but sets a practical foundation for exploring the essential questions and project components.

Exhibition

Students will organize a community health fair featuring interactive booths that demonstrate their work on optimizing muscle function through exercise and nutrition. They will present projects such as their Systems Impact Analysis Reports and Exposure Pathway Diagrams, showcasing their understanding of how external factors affect muscle health. Attendees, including community partners from Children's Hospital Los Angeles, will have an opportunity to engage with students' demonstrations and ask questions, fostering dialogue between students and community members on enhancing wellness through informed choices. The fair will also serve as a platform for community advocacy, where students can reflect on their learning and discuss potential improvements for local health initiatives.