Comes to Life - University of New England · PDF fileI hope Science Comes to Life can be of benefit to you and ... of Le Chatelier’s principle PDHPE ... due to its impact on health

A curriculum-based science activity program for Year 11 and 12 students

Let us bring your syllabus to life for your students, in your lab or ours.

Comes to Life

Contents

Welcome from the Head of School 2

Introduction 2

Activity A. Electrolytes and performance 3

Activity B. The jury is out ... Genetics or the world around us? 4

Activity C. Just what the doctor ordered 5

Activity D. Walking the tightrope to diagnosis 6

Activity E. Cola ... digesting the science ... friend or foe? 7

Activity F. It’s a fine line between pleasure and pain 8

Activity G. On the side of caution 9

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As the Head of Science and Technology at the University of New England, it is my pleasure to introduce, Science Comes to Life, an interactive program of activities that uses real life scenarios to identify the ways in which scientific principles contribute to human physiology, all using the NSW Chemistry, Biology and PDHPE syllabuses as a reference.

Utilising UNE’s expertise in pure and applied sciences – including Chemistry, Human Biology, Physiology, Biomedical Science, Exercise and Sports Science and Pharmacy – this program has been developed with the aim of engaging Year 11 and 12 students in a range of experiments that illustrate the practical application of many of the scientific principles they have, or will, learn in the school lab. The activities are conducted by our own staff, each with industry experience in the applied sciences.

We understand that class time is valuable, so the activities in Science Comes to Life have been designed to run for 45 minutes, so they closely match a regular school period, while all of the materials and equipment needed for your students to participate are supplied by UNE. Or, if you prefer an excursion out of the classroom, we can accommodate you and your students for one or more of the activities in our labs on campus – the choice is yours.

Either way, the program gives your students a unique opportunity to use equipment they wouldn’t normally have access to, while applying their knowledge in realistic contexts to help meet syllabus objectives.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this prospectus. I am confident that the Science Comes to Life program will enhance your students’ learning, and hope it may help kindle an interest in science that they may one day turn into a rich and rewarding career.

Professor Aron MurphyHead of School, School of Science and Technology

As the coordinator of Science Comes to Life I’m excited to be able to offer you and your students the opportunity to participate in one or more of the seven activities that form the program. Each activity has been designed to either stand alone, or form part of a series of fun and interactive experiments, which can be delivered at your school, or if you prefer, in our labs at UNE.

As an accredited Exercise Physiologist I have endeavoured to structure the program in a way that brings the syllabus objectives of Stage 6 HSC Biology, Chemistry and PDHPE, out of the classroom or lab, and into the real world, with a particular focus on the areas of sports science, pharmacy and biomedical science.

Not only does the program give your students an opportunity to put scientific theory into practice, it offers an insight into the health services industry at a time when they are

starting to seriously consider their future career paths.

Choosing the activities you wish to participate in is as easy as visiting www.une.edu.au/sciencecomestolife and following the prompts to the ‘Activity Booking’ section of the site. Once received, I will contact you personally to confirm your booking.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of Science Comes to Life, or need any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me. My details are printed on the back page of this prospectus.

I hope Science Comes to Life can be of benefit to you and your students and I look forward to meeting you.

Dougal EliottProgram Coordinator, Science School Liaison OfficerSchool of Science and Technology

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Let us bring your syllabus to life for your students, in your lab or ours.

Subject Outcomes Topic Syllabus Point Description

Biology H6, H11, H12, H13, H14

Maintaining a balance

9.2.1 Perform a first-hand investigation to test the effect of increasing temperature, change in pH and substrate concentrations

Chemistry H6, H7, H8, H12, H14

The Acidic Environment

9.3.3

9.3.4

Solve problems and perform first-hand investigations to use pH meters/indicators to distinguish between acidic, basic and neutral chemicals

Perform a first-hand investigation to identify the pH of a range of salt solutions

PDHPE H7, H11, H17 Factors Affecting Performance

9.2.3 How can nutrition and recovery strategies affect performance?

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Activity A

Electrolytes and performance

A high profile cyclist has failed to complete the Hawaiian Ironman on three separate occasions. He wants to know why he falls short of finishing during competition in such hot conditions. He has contracted you to analyse a number of common sports drinks and make recommendations allowing him to challenge the pack next year. You will advise the athlete which sports drink you would recommend for him to optimise his endurance performance.

Activity Description:Students will use common tests for pH, electrolyte and carbohydrate concentration on a number of different “sports drink” solutions. They will then graph the results and use the information to make scenario-based decisions about the types of solutions and how they would impact on exercise physiology, before making their conclusions as to which sports drink would most benefit the athlete.

Activity B



Blueprint of Life 9.3.1 Perform a first-hand experiment to demonstrate the effect of environment on phenotype


The Biochemistry of Movement

9.7.9 Using a simplified flow chart, analyse the total energy output from glycolysis and compare it with the energy output from the TCA cycle

PDHPE H6, H7, H8, H17 Improving Performance

9.6.3 Identify the role of technology and training innovations such as altitude training and lactate testing

The jury is out ... genetics or the world around us?

A top AFL coach has approached you seeking advice about whether performance is more closely linked to the environment and training, or genetics. You need to conduct testing and collect necessary evidence to support your recommendations to the coach. The coach will make management decisions that will have long term ramifications for the club based on your advice, such as to either invest in a state-of-the-art altitude training chamber, or alternatively a youth talent identification program. It’s your call!

Activity Description:Students will explore the relationship between anthropometry and sub-maximal oxygen uptake (VO2), as measured by the use of an arm ergometer test. This will provide students with the opportunity to monitor common cardiovascular and metabolic responses of the body to exercise. In addition, students will perform a first-hand experiment to identify the impact of increasing exercise intensity on CO2 output, via the use of pH indicators. Using test data, students will have the capacity to estimate VO2 max, and comparison will be made against those of elite athletes.

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Biology H11, H12, H13, H14

The Search for Better Health

9.4.6 Identify data sources, plan and perform a first-hand investigation or gather information from secondary sources to analyse and present information about the occurrence, symptoms, cause, treatment/management of a named non-infectious disease

Chemistry H7, H8, H12 The Acidic Environment

9.3.1 Describe the solubility of CO2 in water under various conditions as an equilibrium process and explain in terms of Le Chatelier’s principle

PDHPE H1, H2, H6, H15 Health Priorities in Australia

9.1.2 Research and analyse CVD and consider the nature of the problem, extent of the problem, risk factors and determinants

Activity C

Just what the doctor orderedA health clinic has asked you to analyse the cardio-respiratory fitness of a patient residing in a remote area. The patient has been tested previously, but is no longer able to make it to the clinic, so you will need to adapt a test to be completed in the home. The results of your test will help the referring doctor identify whether the patient’s condition has improved, is stable or has worsened. This information will then be used by the doctor to decide on a course of action, such as prescribing medications and lifestyle recommendations for the patient, so your role is an important one.

Activity Description:Students will conduct sub-maximal exercise testing on subjects, giving them the opportunity to monitor cardiovascular and metabolic responses to exercise. Blood glucose and lactate will be monitored by an interactive program, whilst students will personally monitor cardiovascular parameters using modern technology. They will then graph the results before making scenario-based decisions.

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Biology H11, H12, H13, H14

Biotechnology 9.6.6 Describe how the application of biotechnology has assisted in the production of a synthetic hormone

Chemistry H6, H7, H8, H9, H11, H12, H13

Forensic Chemistry 9.9.1 The job of the forensic chemist is to identify materials and trace their origins

PDHPE H7, H8, H11, H17 Improving Performance

9.6.3 How are drugs used to improve performance?

Activity D

Walking the tightrope to diagnosis

As the chief biochemist in a pathology lab, you have received a number of blood samples from the consulting physician. You have not been given any information regarding where, or who the samples were taken from, and you are also unsure as to why they have been taken, but there is a note asking that the samples be tested for any abnormal compound. It is your job to identify the abnormal compound in the samples, as well the concentrations in which they appear. Based on your results your role will be to advise the physician on whether any samples need further investigation, so accuracy is key.

Activity Description:Students will analyse the “blood samples” using visible spectroscopy to verify the unknown compound contained within. Using the same equipment, students will also be required to identify the concentrations of the compound in each sample. They will then graph the results before making scenario-based decisions.

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Biochemistry 9.9.7 Identify that ATP is used as an energy source for nearly all cellular metabolic processes

Chemistry H7, H9, H10, H11, H12, H13

Chemical Monitoring and Management

9.4.3 Gather, process and present information to describe and explain evidence for the need to monitor levels of one of the above ions/pH in society

PDHPE H1, H7, H8, H11 Factors Affecting Performance

9.2.2 How can an athlete use nutritional strategies pre-, post- and during performance to improve performance?

Activity E

Cola ... digesting the science ... friend or foe?Cola is consumed on every continent of the world, but do we know what impact it is having on our bodies; either positive or negative? An independent company is seeking your assistance to analyse the impact of cola ingestion on blood glucose levels (BGL) and the effect this may have on energy metabolism pathways and performance. Is drinking cola an appropriate way to increase mental and physical performance, or should it be treated with caution due to its impact on health measures such as BGL and tooth decay? The information you provide to the company will assist them in developing a policy regarding the sale of cola products in schools.

Activity Description:Students will monitor physiological responses of the body to cola, with particular attention to BGL. Students will use an interactive computer program to identify BGLs, and conduct low to moderate intensity exercise testing on an arm ergometer to monitor its impact. They will then graph the results before making scenario-based decisions.

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Maintaining a Balance

9.2.1 Explain why the maintenance of a constant internal environment is important for metabolic efficiency



9.7.10 Outline the problem associated with the supply and use of fuels during sprinting, and relate this to the sprinting muscle’s reliance on non-oxygen/non-mitochondrial based ATP production


9.2.2 Examine the relationship between the principles of training, physiological adaptations and improved performance

Activity F

It’s a fine line between pleasure and pain

Coach Carter has a huge source of talent in his high school basketball team, but there is a problem, so he has contracted you to assist. During most games the team is in control at half-time, but no matter what he says or does, their performance deteriorates during the later stages of the game. With eight games of the normal season remaining, they sit at the bottom of the competition ladder, but can still make the finals if they improve their second half performances. As an exercise physiologist you have to investigate the impact that fatigue is having on his team’s performance. Based on your findings, Coach Carter intends to change his training approach to optimise the team’s performance.

Activity Description:Students will conduct vertical jump testing on subjects in an attempt to identify possible sources of fatigue and their impact on performance. Throughout testing, students will monitor blood pressure, blood lactate and CO2 concentration of expired air to determine which energy systems are predominant. They will then graph the results before making scenario-based decisions.

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Maintaining a Balance

9.2.1 Explain why the maintenance of a constant internal environment is important for metabolic efficiency



9.7.10 Outline the problem associated with the supply and use of fuels during sprinting, and relate this to the sprinting muscle’s reliance on non-oxygen/non-mitochondrial based ATP production


9.2.2 Examine the relationship between the principles of training, physiological adaptations and improved performance

Activity G

On the side of cautionA doctor suspects a patient is suffering from a neuromuscular condition that causes progressive muscle degeneration, but in order for a diagnosis to be made, further information is required. Your job is to conduct electromyography (EMG) testing on the patient to identify the impact of fatigue on muscular strength. This information will then be used by the doctor to decide on a course of action, such as prescribing medications to moderate the disease progression, so your contribution to the patient’s comfort could be significant.

Activity Description:Students will conduct EMG testing on a number of healthy individuals under different experimental conditions. They will address how each experimental variable impacts on muscle physiology, and performance of a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). They will then graph the results before making scenario-based decisions.

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Produced by Marketing and Public Affairs UNE, November 2015.Information correct at time of printing. CRICOS Provider No. 00003G.

For more information visit

une.edu.au/science-comes-to-life

or contactDougal Eliott (A.E.P., ESSAM)

Program Coordinator, Science School Liaison Officer, School of Science and Technology

University of New England

P: 6773 2826M: 0428 772 262

E: [email protected]

School of Science and Technology

Documents

Comes to Life - University of New England · PDF fileI hope Science Comes to Life can be of benefit to you and ... of Le Chatelier’s principle PDHPE ... due to its impact on health