| Time Frame |
Big Ideas |
Major Learning Experience |
| 3 weeks |
Dimensions of Health/Wellness & Organization of the Human Body |
The dimensions of wellness (physical, social, emotional, mental/intellectual, spiritual, environmental, finanical, and occupational). The difference between acute/infectious/communicable and lifestyle/noncommunicable diseases as well as types of germs. Levels of organization (atom-->organism), organ donation/tissue engineering, anatomical position, directional terms, planes and sections of the body, body cavities, and major regions of the body. Homeostasis and types of medical imaging. |
| 3-4 weeks |
Integumentary System |
Integumentary System: Structure of the skin, accessory structures, and disorders of the skin (wounds, burns, disorders, and diseases). |
| How the integumentary system maintains homeostasis. |
| Types of skin cancer, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of and sun safety. Other diseases including impetigo, acne, alopecia, rosacea, psoriaris, etc. |
| Related medical professions: dermatology, plastic surgery, oncology, etc. LAB: Skin damage from the sun |
| 3-4 weeks |
Skeletal System |
Skeletal System: Function and structure (axial/appendicular) of the skeletal system including the major bones. |
| Bone formation, growth, and remodeling (importance of calcium intake). |
| Types of joints and joint movement. Bone fractures and |
| other skeletal diseases: osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, scoliosis, kyphosis etc. |
| Related medical professions: orthopedic, physical therapy, Chiropractor, etc. LAB: Importance of calcium abrsorption |
| 4-5 weeks |
Muscular & Nervous Systems |
Muscular System: Functions and types of muscles (skeletal, smooth, & cardiac --> naming and grouping of each type). |
| Atrophy, hypertrophy,slow-twitch, fast-twich, and other related vocabulary. Anatomy of a muscle fiber. Benefits of exercise/physical activity |
| Muscular System Diseases: Muscular dystropy, Muscular Sclerosis, Myasthenia Gravis, Fibromyalgia, etc |
| Related medical professions: physical therapist, occupational therapist, athletic trainer, etc. |
| LAB: Strengh, endurance, and flexibility * |
| Nervous System: Functions, divisions, and structure of the nervous system (nerve impulses, types of neurons, synapses and neurotransmitters, function of spinal cord, reflexes) |
| Effects of drugs and alcohol on the brain |
| Major divisions in the brain (central and peripheral) Nervous System Disesaes: Spinal cord injuries, Paralysis, Alzheimer's, Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis, etc. |
| Related medical professions: Neurologist, etc. LAB: What the brain looks like from drug/alcohol use |
| 3-4 weeks |
Respiratory System |
Respiratory System: Structure and function (organs and accessory organs) Learn the path of oxygen through the respiratory system, from the air to the blood and tissues |
| Learn the path of carbon dioxide through the respiratory system, from the tissues and blood to the air |
| Diseases: Asthma, COPD, Lung cancer, Chronic bronchitis, Emphysema, Cystic Fibrosis, etc. |
| Related medical professions: Respiratory Therapist, Pumonoligist, etc. LAB: Healthy vs unhealthy lung |
| 3 weeks |
Cardiovascular/Circulatory System |
Cardiovascular System: Anatomy of the heart (atria, ventricles, valves, path of blood, types of circulation etc.) |
| Diseases: Atherosclerosis, Ischemic Heart Disease, Angina, Heart Attack, Stroke, CHF, Aneurysm , prevention of heart disease. |
| Procedures: Stent, Angioplasty, Bypass Surgery |
| Related Medical Professions: Cardiologist, Cardiovascular Surgeon etc. |
| LAB: Heart Rate/Pulse & Blood Pressure |
| 4-5 weeks |
Digestive System |
Digestive System: Structure and function of the digestive system (major organs) |
| Diseases: IBS, IBD, Lactose Intolerance, Dairy Allergy, Constipation, Diarrhea, Celiac, Crohn's Disease, Eating Disorders, Ulcerative Colitis, etc. Major Nutrients (Carbs, Fats, Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals, & Water), Lifestyle Disesaes related to Nutrition, USDA, MyPlate, Harvard Healthy Eating Plate |
| Related Medical Professions: Gastroenterology, Nutritionist, etc. |
| LAB: Healthy meal/snack preparation |
| 3-4 weeks |
Urinary/Excretory System |
Urinary/Excretory System: Structure and major parts (kidneys, bladder, ureters, urethra) Importance of staying hydrated. Waste products filtered out of the body through urine. Fluid balance and electrolytes (water& sodium- dehydration and hyponatremia) Diseases: UTIs, kidney infections, bladder infections, enlarged prostate, kidney stones, etc. Related medical professions: Urology, Nephrology, etc. LAB: Hydration importance |
| 2 weeks |
Immune/Lymphatic System |
Immune/Lymphatic System: leukocytes, phagocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophil, antibodies, T cells, antigen, immunity including innate, adaptive, and passive immunity. |
| Importance of washing hands, sleep, nutrition, and exercise/physical activity. |
| Diseases: Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS, Type 1 Diabetes, etc. Related Medical Professions: Immunologists, Physicians/Pediatricians, etc. LAB: Hand washing correclty |
| 2 weeks |
Endocrine/Hormonal System |
Endocrine System: Structure and function (hormones, metabolism, hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries, and testes, etc. Use caution/check with a doctor before taking any supplements or herbal treatments. |
| Importance of nutrition, exercise/physical activity, sleep, regular medical check-ups, and family history Related Medical Professions: Endocrinologists, chemists, biologists, researchers, scientists, etc. LAB: Identify abnormal symptons of human body (thirsty but drinking a lot of water, peeing a lot, gaining/losing weight, night sweats, very tired, etc.) that could lead to an endocrine panel |
| 3 weeks |
Reproductive Systems |
Reproductive & Sexual Health: Male and female reproductive systems (structure & function of each). Difference between biological sex and gender. |
| Birth control methods, Conception to birth. |
| Labor & delivery, birth defects. |
| Diseases:STIs/STDs, Infertility, Endometriosis, PCOS, etc. |
| Related Medical Professions: OB, GYN, OBGYN, Fertility Specialists LAB: Go over how someone would perform a breast or tescticular exam at home |
| 2weeks |
Final Project/Wrap-Up |
Final Project: Children's Books |
| Health insurance, preventative healthcare (primary health care check-ups) |
| Pursuing a career in healthcare (research / "day in the life"). |
