Pupils looking at lungs

Health Science (Primary)

10-12 years

5h + pre- and post-work

2905

Pupils will learn about and experience, through role play, a variety of professions within the health sector. They will learn about the anatomy of the human body and the functions carried out within it with specific focus on three of the major systems; the digestive system, the lymphatic system and the respiratory system. The module is suitable for pupils at Second-level. The maximum number of pupils per session is 32.

The pupils will take on the roles of different healthcare workers and through hands on practical experimentation, research and medical testing methods, all of which are procedures and techniques used in the professional field

The module lasts 4-5 hours and consists of the following activities: 

  • Introduction to Newton Room and Health Science 
  • Bacteria in Poo – Pupils will test a sample of a patient’s poo for different bacteria that may be making them ill
  • Amylase Levels in Blood – Pupils will test a patient’s blood serum to check how much amylase is present and then use this information to diagnose the patient.
  • Lymph Node Removal – In pairs pupils will find and remove lymph nodes from a patient and store and label them, ready to be sent to the laboratory for testing.
  • Lymph Node Microscopy – Pupils will identify a healthy lymph node and a lymph node with non-hodgkins lymphoma using pictures and descriptions provided and then look at a slide of the patient’s lymph node and work out if it is healthy or not.
  • Lung Dissection – In groups pupils will investigate the different structures that make up the lungs by dissecting a lung. (An alternative activity is available for pupils who do not wish to take part in this activity).
  • Diagnosing Symptoms – Pupils will match a patient’s symptoms to the symptoms of some common lung conditions and then will decide on a diagnosis for the patient.

 

Throughout this module the pupils will be encouraged to discuss and consider how the factors within this workshop are relevant to real life situations and use this knowledge and learning to relate to their own lifestyles and choices and how raise awareness around different choices and conditions that can affect our overall health and what they can do to ensure they remain in the best health possible moving forward.

 

Curriculum for Excellence links for this module can be found here.