Human Performance, Science, Physiology and Technology Connection
The cost of a variety of lab supplies and two Palm handhelds is $2621, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
I teach at a small school (250 students) in an industrial community in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains. My students are poor. Ninety-four percent of them are on free or reduced lunch. We have NO money to support my mini-human performance lab that is cutting edge curriculum integration in an elementary school physical education class. I am currently working toward my masters degree in instructional technology. Expanding my lab enables me to share my love for learning about science and technology with my students.
Students love technology! They are motivated by it! Through the thoughtful integration of handheld computers and Vernier Human Performance lab probes, we will continue to build a more comprehensive mini-human performance lab that enables students to participate in exercise specific experiments that not only motivate them to improve their fitness levels, but also help them see the connection between physical activity, science and technology. This makes learning real for our kids, who need immediate reinforcement and continuous feedback regarding their physical performance and academic progress.
Our project proposes to implement a process that will facilitate cardiovascular activity, develop critical thinking and integrate science, math and handheld computer technology into a unique learning environment. This is our vision of the futuristic physical education classroom of today:
Today in PE, 5th grade students are engaged in scientific experiments using temperature probes, oxygen sensors, Spirometers and heart rate monitors. Everybody is busy. They are working feverously to bring their heart rate up to a predetermined maximum and collect forced inhalation and exhalation data in order to learn about the effects of exercise on their heart and lungs. Other students collect data on the rise in temperature of their bicep muscle as it continually works and record their findings, comparing this days work to that previously recorded. These boys and girls are learning about the science of sport in their human performance lab at school.
The human performance mini lab is an impetus to motivate students to increase their physical activity while learning about its effects on the body. We have recently purchased some of the lab probes needed for a rudimentary Human Performance Lab. We would like to expand the abilities of this lab to include vital sensors that give students a more complete picture of what happens to their bodies when they exercise and teach them how to interpret this information to make it meaningful.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Matthews and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
