Relevant National Teaching Standards
Grade 5-8: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives (Personal Health-Body Repair)
Grade 9-12: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives (Personal and Community Health-Body Repair)
Synopsis: Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the United States. Heart bypass surgery is a highly successful, routine procedure for most patients. Gaze over our shoulders as The Why Files attends a bypass surgery. How does it work? What new bypass procedures are on the horizon? How does the heart work?
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the article: the beat goes on...
Discussion
Questions
1. Why is bypass surgery NOT a cure for heart disease? What effect do lifestyle choices have on heart health?
2. What are common symptoms of heart failure? What biological problems cause these symptoms?
3. What new methods and equipment are being used to streamline open-heart surgery?
Lesson Plans/Activities
1. Cold-hearted bypass surgery! Using a sheep or pig heart obtained from the local slaughterhouse or Carolina Biological Supply Company, have students explore the organ itself and use a plastic straw to "perform" a coronary artery bypass. Follow instructions for activity #4, aptly called "Heart Parts." This activity is recommended for grades 8-10.
2. Be a virtual surgeon! Perform a 19-step heart transplant online. Fun graphics! This activity is recommended for grades 5-8.
3. Actual OR! Contact a local hospital to inquire about the possibility of your classroom watching an open-heart surgery and asking the surgeons questions via "video conference." Recommended for grades 8-12.
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