The Physiology Behind…

Spring Term Project

Physiology

Purpose:

Have you ever wondered why you dream, why you may have allergies, or what happens to your body on the day of the “big game”?For this project you will be investigating the physiology behind an everyday activity that you find interesting. At the end of the semester, you will teach about your topic to the rest of the class. This is a fairly open ended project, and the way that you choose to teach the class is up to you. You will also listen to other physiology experts (classmates) as they present their research.

Focus Questions

  • What are the 3 main body systems (or subsystems) involved in this activity?
  • How do they work under normal circumstances?
  • What happens to each of these body systems during your activity/what changes occur and why?

Due to the open ended nature of this project, these focus questions may be tailored to your project. For example, you may be able to identify three body systems that are utilized in somewhat equal amounts and delve into those (ie digestive system, nervous system and endocrine system). On the other end of the spectrum you may find three different subsystems that are affected and go into those (ie the ear, brain, and sensory nerves- all part of the nervous system). Alternatively you might find a mix of the above; it all depends on your topic!

Can I work with a partner?

You may work in a group of up to three people. You may also work alone. If you chose to work in a group, all members must be in the same class period. Make this decision carefully. Since you have the choice whether or not to be in a group and who your potential group members will be, there will be no “but my partner flaked…” excuses accepted.

What do I need to turn in?

  1. All benchmarks (outlined below)
  2. The “Performance Assessment”

In other words, how you will teach the class about your topic. You can virtually do this in any way that you choose, as long as it has a tangible portion (t)and a presentation portion (p). Some examples are as follows:

  • Create and film a documentary or other type of video(t) and show it to the class(p)
  • Create a board game(t) and have students play it(p)
  • Create some sort of 3-D model (t)and use it to give a presentation(p)

Benchmarks and Timeline:

BM #1: The BrainstormDUE ______

Your first task is to brainstorm a topic. For example, here is Mr. Black’s brainstorm:

The physiology behind…

Scuba diving

Being in a submarine or airplane

Sprinting

The “big game”

Sleep and dreams

Music

Pregnancy

The flu

Allergies

BM #2: Topic ChoiceDUE ______

Next you will need to decide on one topic. Turn in one typed page (per group) that describes your topic choice, the three body systems (or subsystems) involved, and why/how each body system is involved.

BM #3: Research Notes DUE ______

Each student in your group will present four pages of handwritten notes regarding your topic. The material on each set of notes should be different. ***Sources must be cited in the appropriate format (see purple reference sheet)***.

BM #4: Performance Assessment ProposalDUE ______

One typed proposal per group (about 2-4 pages) that describeshow you will teach the class about your topic. Your proposal should include:

Your topic

Preliminary answers to all focus questionswith in text citations

What your tangible portion (t) and your presentation portion (p)consists of

A bibliography

Focus Questions

What are the 3 main body systems (or subsystems) involved in this activity?

How do they work under normal circumstances?

What happens to each of these body systems during your activity/what changes occur and why?

BM #: 5: Performance Assessment & PresentationDUE: ______

This is when you will actually turn in the tangible portion of the project and give your presentation/teach the class. Presentations should be 5 min for one person, 10 min for a group of two, or 15 min for a group of three.

The Research:

We will go to the library once (on ______) and we will use the mobile laptop lab a couple of times in class. Most of the research and work time for this project will be conducted on your own time. To be fair your amount of homework will be reduced so that you have time to work on this project.

Grade:Your term project will be worth 10% of your final Physiology grade. I will use a rubric to assess your performance assessment (we will go over the rubric in class/do a self assessment before beginning our presentations). You will also earn project points for each benchmark.