Career Connections at SAVY, Week 2, Engineering the Human Body (7th-8th)
Muscle Madness: Exploring How Our Bodies Move Recap 💪
Hello Families!
We had another amazing day in the Roots of Human Physiology course, where students got an in-depth look at the body’s incredible muscle system. From understanding the three types of muscles to seeing how our hearts work tirelessly to keep us going, your budding scientists were engaged and curious all day!
💥 Three Types of Muscles: Skeletal, Smooth, and Cardiac
Our day began with a deep dive into skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles. Students explored each type’s unique structure and function and the critical differences between voluntary (those we control, like in a bicep curl) and involuntary muscles (like the heart and digestive tract muscles that work on their own). Through videos, diagrams, and interactive discussions, they built a strong understanding of how each muscle type plays its role in maintaining balance in the body, also known as homeostasis.
👀 Blinking Lab: Voluntary vs. Involuntary Muscles
In one of the day’s most fun experiments, students paired up to test the differences between voluntary and involuntary muscle actions in a blinking lab! They timed each other’s natural blinks and then tried a “staring contest” to see how long they could keep their eyes open on purpose. This hands-on activity helped them realize that even when we try to control certain muscles, our bodies often take over to keep us healthy and comfortable (like blinking to keep our eyes moist).
🧩 Visualizing Muscle Types
After the blinking lab, students worked with their groups to draw diagrams of the muscles within the human body. They labeled structures they recognized, working together to create a visual summary of everything they learned about how these muscles support our bodies in different ways.
❤️ Cardiac Muscle and Circulation
In our final morning activity, students explored cardiac muscle—the powerhouse muscle that pumps blood and oxygen throughout the body. With the help of videos and diagrams of heart models, they were able to map out the parts of the heart, making it a creative and memorable way to understand how this vital muscle supports circulation and keeps us alive.
Afternoon Project Time 🎨
In the afternoon, students began brainstorming and organizing their final projects. Working in teams, they chose specific diseases to research, started planning their presentations, and came up with team names. Each group was buzzing with ideas and ready to dive deeper into how physiology connects to real-world health issues.
Dinner Table Questions to Ask Your Muscle Expert 🗣️
Here are some great questions to ask your young scientist about today’s lesson:
- What are the three types of muscles, and what makes them different?
- How does the heart keep our blood flowing, and why is it a “special” type of muscle?
- How many chambers does the heart have?
- What did you learn about blinking? Is it something we can control (voluntary)? What eventually happens?
- What disease are you presenting?
It was another inspiring day of discovery, and we can’t wait to see what your students uncover next!
With gratitude,
Ms. Hannah Waterman