Rationale
The International Baccalaureate (IB) biology course follows a strict and well-defined set of standards but also has the flexibility to provide relevant and meaningful connections to students. I teach physiology in the half year of the two-year curriculum, so this particular unit will be taught to seniors that have already had biochemistry, cellular biology, and genetics. By the end of the unit, students should understand and be able to explain the structure and function of both the circulatory and respiratory systems, evaluate their interdependence, and effectively communicate the importance of making healthy choices.
The health and communication aspects of this unit are absolutely vital. Too many people receive their physiology and nutrition information from the media, which frequently contradicts itself or conveys an incomplete message. Americans, especially those in disadvantaged and less-educated communities, are lacking in science-supported understanding of their bodies. Not only will students become more empowered when they are the ones communicating the information in this unit, but their families and communities will receive a voice for health awareness.
Heart disease remains the number one cause of mortality among adults in the United States, responsible for more than 600,000 deaths per year 2. Because 12% of adults are currently diagnosed with heart disease, it is quite likely that my students have at least one family member affected with some aspect of it. Sadly, many preventable factors contribute to the development of heart disease, such as smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. Lung conditions are also widespread and are on the rise. More than 25 million Americans suffer from asthma and another 14.8 million have chronic bronchitis or emphysema 3. While there are certainly genetic factors involved, some of these cases also result from poor lifestyle choices and lack of health education.
For students to successfully take ownership of their health, they must understand the impact they have on their physical condition and how the choices they make affect their bodies on a tissue and cellular level. The goal of this unit is to provide this information from a content standpoint, and to teach it in a way that encourages students to empower themselves and to communicate this message to other young people.
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