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Curricular Unit: Engineering and the Human Body

Contributed by: Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder

A photograph of a human hand that has been superimposed with mechanical fingers. The hand, which shows jointed finger, is holding a light bulb.

Copyright © URL Copyright © Oak Ridge National Laboratory,


Grade: 4 (3-5)


Summary

The Engineering and the Human Body unit covers the broad spectrum of topics that make-up our very amazing human body. Students are introduced to the space environment and learn the major differences between the environment on Earth and that of outer space. The engineering challenges that arise because of these discrepancies are also discussed. Then, students dive into the different components that make up the human body: muscles, bones and joints, the digestive and circulatory systems, the nervous and endocrine systems, the urinary system, the respiratory system, and finally the immune system. Students learn about the different types of muscles in the human body and the effects of microgravity on muscles. Also, they learn about the skeleton, the number of and types of bones in the body, and how outer space affects astronauts' bones. In the lessons on the digestive, circulatory, nervous and endocrine systems, students learn how these vital system work and the challenges faced by astronauts whose systems are impacted by spaceflight. And lastly, advances in engineering technology are discussed through the lessons on the urinary, respiratory and immune systems while students learn how these systems work with all the other body components to help keep the human body healthy.


Engineering Connection

Engineers, particularly biomedical engineers, need to understand how our body systems work in order to help take care of our bodies on Earth and in space. The human body has many examples of joints, which engineers can mimic when designing machines. Specifically, in thinking about our skeleton while not on Earth, biomedical engineers who work at NASA are especially interested in how outer space affects astronauts' bones. And, aerospace engineers need to understand the immune system and how it is affected in space in order to prepare for longer missions (while astronauts are further away from the medical resources on Earth). Furthermore, engineers continue to help protect the human heart by developing technological devices to repair it, such as artificial heart valves to replace faulty valves. Artificial hearts were developed by engineers to keep hospitalized patients alive while they are waiting for a heart transplant. What about our brains? Engineers develop better ways to save the brain from trauma and disease. They develop surgical and imaging equipment, as well as brain-saving devices, such as bicycle and motorcycle helmets. And for the visually impaired, engineers create sight devices from glasses to advanced sight tools (including a light sensor imbedded into the back of the eye) for people who cannot see at all or have difficulty seeing. Biomedical engineers create devices to aid people who have lost or are lacking full hearing capabilities. Engineers are also working on a drug that can keep astronauts from getting space-motion sickness, which is caused by conflicting sensory inputs. Other life-saving measures are undertaken by chemical engineers, who study the immune system in order to develop treatments for people with compromised immunity, and vaccinations, antibiotics, disinfectants, and sterilizers are designed by engineers in order to help keep people healthy. Additionally, environmental engineers work on keeping the air we breathe and the water we drink free of toxins via air purifiers and water filters. Clearly, engineers play a huge part in keeping the human body safe and healthy, both on Earth and in space.


Keywords: biomedical engineer, space environment, atmosphere, human body, microgravity, atmosphere, space, muscle, movement, exercise, astronaut, cardiac, skeletal, microgravity, muscle, skeleton, exercise


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Copyright

© 2009 by Regents of the University of Colorado. The contents of these digital library curricula were developed under a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education, and National Science Foundation GK-12 grant no. 0338326. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the U.S. Department of Education or National Science Foundation, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.

Supporting Program

Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder

Last Modified: March 20, 2009
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