Middle School Curriculum
Back in 1963 when LAB-AIDS® shipped its first kit, we had a vision, to revolutionize the middle school classroom with one of the first inquiry-based approaches to learning science through hands-on activity. More Info
Biomedical Engineering | NGSS
~15-20 40 to 50 minute class periods
How can engineering be used to improve the lives of those living with medical conditions?
Students develop, design, and optimize models for devices used to improve human health and safety.
This unit focuses on the practice of engineers who uses technology, mathematics, and knowledge of
biological systems to solve biological or medical problems.
PE Assessment Example: There are two major types of artificial heart valves on the market. The first
is a mechanical valve made of titanium and carbon, and the second is a bioprosthetic valve made of
animal valve tissue. If the cost was about the same, which device is more appropriate for a. a healthy
grandparent?, b. a young person? Explain what evidence you think is most important and what trade-offs
you are willing to accept.
Biomedical Engineering is part of Issues and Science three year middle school program, designed by SEPUP at the Lawrence Hall of Science. This three week unit anchors the lessons around the socio-science issue: How can engineering be used to improve the lives of those living with medical conditions? Investigative phenomena within the 9 activities connect back to the issue and storyline. This unit builds towards and assesses PEs ETS1-1, ETS1-2, ETS1-3, ETS1-4, plus parts of LS1-7
View a Sample Biomedical Engineering Student Book Selection or Sample Teacher Edition Selection.
Content in Biomedical Engineering | NGSS is organized into 9 activities, as follows:
| Activity Title | Activity Type | Activity Overview | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Save Fred! | Investigation | Students are introduced to the process of engineering by solving a simple physical problem. The activity elicits and builds on students’ ideas about how to develop a successful solution. |
| 2. | Me, An Engineer? | Investigation | By simulating an injury to the dominant arm, students use their ingenuity and some simple supplies to invent solutions to problems they encounter accomplishing everyday tasks. Through the experience, students consider the practical needs of people with disabilities and the impact of biomedical engineering. |
| 3. | Bionic Bodies | Reading | Students explore the application of biomedical engineering through the case studies of three individuals. These cases show that individual needs, desires, and values help drive the development of new technologies. |
| 4. | Artificial Bone Model | Design | Students are challenged to design, build, and test models of an artificial bone to meet criteria. They analyze the quantitative data from different prototypes and combine ideas to optimize their designs. |
| 5. | Artificial Heart Valve | Design | Students apply the engineering design process to developing a model for an artificial heart valve. Students create initial prototypes, test, evaluate, and redesign their solutions in an iterative engineering design process. |
| 6. | The Work of an Engineer | Reading | Students explore the discipline of engineering in more detail. They read about the interplay between science, engineering, and technology in the development of new products. |
| 7. | Snack Bar | Investigation | Students evaluate the ingredients of various snack bars to determine how each design best meets criteria. Then they design a snack bar to meet particular nutritional need of a specific medical condition. |
| 8. | Investigating Biomechanics | Laboratory | Students explore the biomechanics of muscles and tendons in a chicken wing as background knowledge to later design a gripping device. This information on the structure and function of a wing is used to develop a model of movement. |
| 9. | Get a Grip! | Design | Students use the approach of biomimicry to design, test, evaluate, and redesign a mechanical gripping device to meet criteria. They use a reiterative process to optimize the device in one of two ways. |
Lab-Aids© provides several useful tools to guide you and your students through the Biomedical Engineering unit:
Student Book
The Student Book guides students in exploring a socio-science issue and connected phemonena through a series of varied activity types. Activity types use one of twelve different instructional strategies to apply Science and Engineering Practices to specific Disciplinary Core Ideas and Cross Cutting Concepts.
SEPUP's integrated literacy strategies help students process new science content, develop their analytical skills, make connections between related concepts, and express their knowledge orally and in writing. The built-in assessment system helps teachers identify students' strengths and weaknesses from the beginning of the unit. This allows them to adjust activities when needed so that all students get the best chance to build their knowledge and appreciation of science. At the back of the Student Book there is an Appendix containing additional resources for students, such as science skills, literacy strategies, and media literacy among others.
Lab-Aids© Science Lab Notebook
A science notebook not only models the way scientists work, but it helps to develop and reinforce students’ science learning and literacy skills.
The Lab-Aids Science Lab Notebook is designed to support best practice note-booking strategies. It includes three-hole punched pages in a two-column design for Cornell-style notes. GraphAnywhere pages allow students to both write and easily create data-tables and graphs anywhere on the page. The unique “Lab-Log” column serves as a blank canvas for drawings, connections, and self-reflective notes. 160 pages total.
Complete Equipment Package
Lab-Aids programs include high-quality equipment for each activity. This includes innovative lab-ware to be used throughout the year, specific solutions and materials for unique labs, as well as items needed for card sorts, modeling, role-plays, and projects.
Materials for up to 5 classes of 32 students, mobile storage cart, Online Portal for one teacher includes online subscription to Teacher Edition and Resources, Student Book in English/Spanish (E/S), student sheets (E/S), visual aids (E/S), PowerPoints, online assessment system, LABsent, and supplemental resources)
Teacher Edition and Resources (Printed)
The SEPUP Teacher Edition (TE) guides you through each activity in the Student Book and helps you see the development of concepts within the big picture of the unit. It helps you set up the equipment from the kit, organize the classroom, conduct activities, and manage practical details, all of which enhance students’ learning environment.
The Teacher Edition text is broken down into several sections, such as Activity Overview, NGSS Connections and Correlations, Materials and Advanced Prep, Teaching Summary, and Background information to name a few. The Teacher Edition is packaged as a color-printed, loose-leaf binder which allows you to personalize it with highlighting, annotations, rearrangements, and insertions. It provides full support for teaching the program. Additional support resources can also found in the Teacher Resource book.
The Teacher Resource (TR) provides background and suggestions to increase the overall effectiveness of implementing the program across all levels of learners. Some sections include: SEPUP’s Approach to Teaching and Learning, Differentiation Strategies for Diverse Learners, Literacy Strategies for Supporting Reading Comprehension and for Enhancing Students’ Writing, and comprehensive instruction on the SEPUP Assessment System. There is also a section containing unit specific resources, such as overviews, unit storyline and phenomena table, NGSS correlations, assessment blueprints, and item banks.
Online Portal for Students
Access to Student online portal for 1 year, which includes: the digital Student Book (Spanish coming soon), additional resources, and LABsent sheets and videos for absent students. Ability to highlight, bookmark and make notes in the Student Book, complete homework and assessments, and communicate with the teacher. Also available as multi-year subscriptions.
Online Portal for Teachers
Access to Teacher online portal for 7 years, which includes: online subscription to the Teacher Edition and Resources, Student Book (Spanish coming soon), LABsent sheets & videos for absent students, Editable PowerPoints for each lesson, and integrated online assessment system. Ability to highlight, bookmark, and make notes in personal Student and Teacher books, create and assign homework and assessments, and communicate with students. Available as multi-year subscriptions. Single Sign-On (SSO) available "
| Biomedical Engineering | NGSS | Item # | Price | Quantity |
|---|
