How do things inside our bodies work together to make us feel the way we do?
This is a life science unit that builds science ideas around chemical reactions and human body systems. Specifically students examine a real case study of a middle schooler struggling to keep food down. As students examine her symptoms, they piece together her unusual condition.
The unit introduces M’Kenna talking about her troublesome symptoms. Losing weight, feeling weak, and riddled with stomach issues, something wrong is happening in M’Kenna’s body. Students investigate her symptoms through doctor’s notes and images of her digestive tract to wonder what could be the cause. As the unit progresses, students examine different body systems to explain how various structures interact in a healthy person. Then students draw out models to help argue and explain what could be the cause of M’Kenna’s condition.
As a life science unit, students will zoom in and out of different parts of the body to look at molecules, cells, and organs. Using different investigations, students will gather evidence to better understand the complex processes that keep our bodies nourishedand running. In the end, students will have a better explanation of how our food fuels our growth and development.