Human Body Project
Overview and Process
For this project my group members, Sally and Eric, and I studied the muscular and skeletal system for weeks. We learned about the process of muscle contraction, the structure of muscles and bones, how the skeletal and muscular systems work with other systems in the body, and more. After we studied the systems, we created a slideshow(below) to demonstrate our knowledge and teach the rest of our class about the skeletal and muscular system.
For this project my group members, Sally and Eric, and I studied the muscular and skeletal system for weeks. We learned about the process of muscle contraction, the structure of muscles and bones, how the skeletal and muscular systems work with other systems in the body, and more. After we studied the systems, we created a slideshow(below) to demonstrate our knowledge and teach the rest of our class about the skeletal and muscular system.
Overview and Process cont.
The next step in our process was to brainstorm and come up with ideas in order to create a physical project that represents the functions of these systems. We went through many ideas such as building the infrastructure of a building to represent how the skeletal system supports the body. We finally came up with an idea to embody the functions of the skeletal and muscular systems. Our original idea was to use one long PVC pipe to hold up makeshift ribs made out of plastic tubing. The plastic tubes would represent ribs and protect internal organs on the inside(balloon heart). We would then place empty balloons on the inside of the ribs to form intercostal muscle that controls breathing. These balloons would also be used to represent tendons and ligaments. Below is our proposal for this project.
The next step in our process was to brainstorm and come up with ideas in order to create a physical project that represents the functions of these systems. We went through many ideas such as building the infrastructure of a building to represent how the skeletal system supports the body. We finally came up with an idea to embody the functions of the skeletal and muscular systems. Our original idea was to use one long PVC pipe to hold up makeshift ribs made out of plastic tubing. The plastic tubes would represent ribs and protect internal organs on the inside(balloon heart). We would then place empty balloons on the inside of the ribs to form intercostal muscle that controls breathing. These balloons would also be used to represent tendons and ligaments. Below is our proposal for this project.
Overview and Process
Once our proposal was approved, we began our construction process. Most of the materials were provided by Dr. LB. The materials we used that were provided were PVC pipe, plastic tubing, and two different kinds of wire. We constructed our project for the most part until we reached a pit stop: we didn't have any balloons to form the intercostal muscle, ligaments, tendons, or the heart. These seems like an easy project to fix but it took us weeks until someone finally purchased material from the store. But instead of using balloons from our original idea, we used exercise bands. Exercise bands were a much better solution than balloons because they stretched more easily without ripping. Eric and I then created the poster that would be used in our presentation. This poster labeled important aspects of our project like muscle contraction, bone cross-section, and ligaments and tendons. Below is the slideshow we used during our presentation.
Once our proposal was approved, we began our construction process. Most of the materials were provided by Dr. LB. The materials we used that were provided were PVC pipe, plastic tubing, and two different kinds of wire. We constructed our project for the most part until we reached a pit stop: we didn't have any balloons to form the intercostal muscle, ligaments, tendons, or the heart. These seems like an easy project to fix but it took us weeks until someone finally purchased material from the store. But instead of using balloons from our original idea, we used exercise bands. Exercise bands were a much better solution than balloons because they stretched more easily without ripping. Eric and I then created the poster that would be used in our presentation. This poster labeled important aspects of our project like muscle contraction, bone cross-section, and ligaments and tendons. Below is the slideshow we used during our presentation.
skeletal_project_bella.jpg | |
File Size: | 24 kb |
File Type: | jpg |
The pictures below show our project when it was completed.
Reflection
Challenges:
As I mentioned above, we originally planned on using one long PVC pipe but instead we decided to cut it into twenty pieces because it could better represent movement of the spine. Another challenge was getting materials to represent the muscles but we ended up using exercise bands.
Successes: Our project ended up looking very clean and neat. The judges told us they like how our project looks. Another success was completing our project in time and performing our presentation successfully.
Judges thoughts: The judges thought that our project was well put together but that next time I should specify that not all bones have bone marrow. They also made a suggestion stating that the font was not big enough on our slideshow. Thanks to the judges' helpful critiquing, our next presentation will be even better.
Challenges:
As I mentioned above, we originally planned on using one long PVC pipe but instead we decided to cut it into twenty pieces because it could better represent movement of the spine. Another challenge was getting materials to represent the muscles but we ended up using exercise bands.
Successes: Our project ended up looking very clean and neat. The judges told us they like how our project looks. Another success was completing our project in time and performing our presentation successfully.
Judges thoughts: The judges thought that our project was well put together but that next time I should specify that not all bones have bone marrow. They also made a suggestion stating that the font was not big enough on our slideshow. Thanks to the judges' helpful critiquing, our next presentation will be even better.
Half-way Process
Half way through the project everything is built and put together except for our muscles which will be coming any day now thanks to Sally. I have also began drawing our poster that will be included in the presentation.
What works: The stabilizing of the spine in our project and the protection of the internal organs by the ribs.
What doesn't work: The stretching of our intercostal muscle because we do not have it yet.
Half way through the project everything is built and put together except for our muscles which will be coming any day now thanks to Sally. I have also began drawing our poster that will be included in the presentation.
What works: The stabilizing of the spine in our project and the protection of the internal organs by the ribs.
What doesn't work: The stretching of our intercostal muscle because we do not have it yet.