Heart Health Awareness Campaign
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design an effective public awareness campaign that educates people about the vital roles of the cardiovascular system, its functioning, and the importance of maintaining heart health through lifestyle choices?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are the main organs of the cardiovascular system and their specific functions?
- How does the structure of the heart relate to its function in the cardiovascular system?
- What processes are involved in the cardiac cycle and why are they important?
- How do blood vessels contribute to blood circulation across the body?
- What are the common diseases affecting the cardiovascular system and their impacts on health?
- How can lifestyle choices influence the health of the cardiovascular system?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will understand the main organs of the cardiovascular system and their specific functions.
- Students will explain how the heart's structure is related to its function in the cardiovascular system.
- Students will describe the cardiac cycle and its importance to overall health.
- Students will analyze how blood vessels aid in circulation and the distribution of blood.
- Students will identify common cardiovascular diseases and understand their impact on overall health.
- Students will evaluate how lifestyle choices affect cardiovascular health and propose ways to maintain heart health.
Next Generation Science Standards
Common Core Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsVirtual Reality Voyage Inside the Heart
Introduce students to augmented reality or VR technology that allows them to 'travel' through the heart and bloodstream, observing the anatomy and function firsthand. This immersive exploration will spark questions about the vital roles each component plays in cardiovascular health and disease management.Heart Rate Adventure
Kick off the project with a heart-pumping event! Have students participate in a series of fun physical activities (e.g., jumping jacks, sprints) while wearing heart rate monitors. As students observe changes in their heart rates, pique their curiosity about how the cardiovascular system responds to exercise and what this reveals about heart health.Mystery Patient Case Files
Present students with a set of fictional 'mystery patient' case files that describe varying cardiovascular symptoms. Students become medical detectives tasked with diagnosing conditions and proposing lifestyle changes or treatments, encouraging exploration into the causes and prevention of heart diseases.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Virtual Reality Voyage Inside the Heart
Introduce students to augmented reality or VR technology that allows them to 'travel' through the heart and bloodstream, observing the anatomy and function firsthand. This immersive exploration will spark questions about the vital roles each component plays in cardiovascular health and disease management.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA reflective journal entry outlining students’ observations and questions from their immersive VR experience.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsHS-LS1-2, focusing on the interactive exploration of the structure and functions of the cardiovascular system.Heart Rate Adventure
Kick off the project with a heart-pumping event! Have students participate in a series of fun physical activities (e.g., jumping jacks, sprints) while wearing heart rate monitors. As students observe changes in their heart rates, pique their curiosity about how the cardiovascular system responds to exercise and what this reveals about heart health.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA data report that includes students’ heart rate observations and their analysis on how exercise affects cardiovascular function.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsHS-LS1-3, fostering understanding of feedback mechanisms involved in the cardiovascular system and the concept of homeostasis.Mystery Patient Case Files
Present students with a set of fictional 'mystery patient' case files that describe varying cardiovascular symptoms. Students become medical detectives tasked with diagnosing conditions and proposing lifestyle changes or treatments, encouraging exploration into the causes and prevention of heart diseases.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA diagnostic and treatment proposal report for each fictional case, including researched information and recommendations.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsHS-LS1-3, emphasizing the application of knowledge on feedback mechanisms and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.7 for research skills.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioCardiovascular Health Campaign Rubric
Understanding of Cardiovascular System
Evaluates student's comprehension of cardiovascular system structures, functions, and mechanisms.Anatomy and Function
Assesses the accuracy and depth of understanding regarding the main structures and functions of the cardiovascular system.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe student provides a comprehensive and accurate explanation of all components of the cardiovascular system, clearly linking anatomical structures to their specific functions and demonstrating an advanced understanding of the interrelationships.
Proficient
3 PointsThe student accurately identifies most components of the cardiovascular system and links structures to their functions, showing a solid understanding of the core interrelationships.
Developing
2 PointsThe student identifies some components of the cardiovascular system with basic explanations. Connection between structures and functions is present but lacks depth and accuracy.
Beginning
1 PointsThe student shows minimal knowledge of cardiovascular system structures, with inaccurate or incomplete explanations of functions.
Cardiac Cycle and Blood Circulation
Evaluates understanding of the cardiac cycle processes and the role of blood vessels in circulation.
Exemplary
4 PointsStudent clearly explains the stages of the cardiac cycle and effectively illustrates how blood is circulated throughout the body, including the role of different types of vessels.
Proficient
3 PointsStudent correctly describes the cardiac cycle and the basic mechanisms of blood circulation, recognizing the role of main blood vessels.
Developing
2 PointsStudent partly describes the cardiac cycle and provides limited explanations of blood circulation, missing some key details and connections.
Beginning
1 PointsStudent provides minimal or inaccurate descriptions of the cardiac cycle and blood circulation, with little understanding of their roles.
Lifestyle Impact and Disease
Assesses analysis of lifestyle factors affecting cardiovascular health and identification of common diseases.
Exemplary
4 PointsStudent provides a detailed analysis of how lifestyle choices affect cardiovascular health and accurately identifies and explains multiple common cardiovascular diseases, proposing thoughtful lifestyle changes or preventative measures.
Proficient
3 PointsStudent explains the impact of lifestyle choices on cardiovascular health and identifies some common diseases, offering logical recommendations for improvement.
Developing
2 PointsStudent outlines basic effects of lifestyle choices on cardiovascular health and identifies diseases, but analysis lacks depth and detail.
Beginning
1 PointsStudent provides minimal or inaccurate analysis of lifestyle effects on cardiovascular health and lacks understanding of disease impacts.
Data Analysis and Application
Analyzes ability to collect, interpret, and apply cardiovascular data meaningfully.Data Collection and Interpretation
Evaluates ability to accurately collect and interpret cardiovascular-related data.
Exemplary
4 PointsStudent collects extensive, accurate data and provides insightful interpretation showing deep understanding of cardiovascular responses to various stimuli.
Proficient
3 PointsStudent collects accurate data and offers logical interpretations reflecting correct understanding of cardiovascular functions and responses.
Developing
2 PointsStudent attempts data collection with some errors; interpretations are basic and may lack accuracy, showing partial understanding.
Beginning
1 PointsStudent collects limited or inaccurate data and fails to provide meaningful interpretations, indicating minimal understanding.
Research and Presentation Skills
Assesses student's research adequacy and ability to present findings clearly and effectively.Research Quality
Evaluates the quality of research conducted and the credibility of sources.
Exemplary
4 PointsStudent conducts thorough research using multiple credible sources, integrating comprehensive information into their findings and proposals.
Proficient
3 PointsStudent conducts adequate research using credible sources, integrating essential information effectively into findings.
Developing
2 PointsStudent uses some credible sources, but research is incomplete or lacks depth, affecting the quality of findings.
Beginning
1 PointsStudent uses few or no credible sources, resulting in minimal findings and superficial research.
Presentation Effectiveness
Evaluates clarity, organization, and delivery of the campaign presentation.
Exemplary
4 PointsStudent presents findings with exceptional clarity and logical flow, using engaging visuals and examples, keeping the audience engaged throughout.
Proficient
3 PointsStudent presents findings clearly and logically with good visuals, maintaining audience engagement most of the time.
Developing
2 PointsStudent presents with minor clarity and organizational issues, occasionally losing the audience's interest.
Beginning
1 PointsStudent struggles with clarity and organization, resulting in a disjointed presentation that fails to engage the audience.