As a past science teacher, I am now in a position to help students in grades 6-8 with their Science Fair Projects each year. Because of the advances in technology, we are now able to expand the type of Science Fair Project a student may enter into the competition.
I am using this unit to become familiar with observational or natural experiments. Many of our students have an interest in investigating topics that do not allow for the traditional manipulative experiment. To perform an observational or natural experiment, the student does systematic and experimental work using experiments that have been done by others. They will need to know how to research their hypothesis and gather information from several sources. The activity will be of value and interest to the student, as he/she will have an opportunity to investigate an illness or disease of interest to them. They may have a family member or a friend dealing with an illness and wish to become more knowledgeable on how biomedical engineering has improved their chances of living with or being cured of a particular disease.
The investigation will include the following:
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· What is the name of your disease?
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· What is your hypothesis?
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· What are some causes of your disease?
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· How widespread a problem is your disease?
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· Is there a particular group more susceptible to this disease?
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· Are there preventative measures that can be taken to lessen the impact or prevent this disease?
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· How is the disease detected?
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· What is the treatment(s) for this disease?
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· What are the pros and cons of the treatment(s).
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· How has biomedical engineering helped in the treatment and/or prevention for this disease?
This unit will provide a "hands-on" approach that will allow me to gain experience and be better able to give the student hints and direction for completing a meaningful project. I have chosen to investigate the various treatments for Prostate Cancer and how biomedical engineering has improved and/or discovered different treatments for this disease.
One definition for Biomedical Engineering is a discipline that advances knowledge in engineering, biology and medicine, and improves human health through cross-disciplinary activities that integrate the engineering sciences with the biomedical sciences and clinical practices.
After we review and/or introduce the basic structure and function of the cell parts, we will discuss and research what things may happen when a cell mutates. The main focus of my unit will be to investigate the various treatments for Prostate Cancer and the pros and cons for each type of treatment. Having to investigate these options will prepare me to help students investigate and research their topic of interest.
My hypothesis is: If a person is diagnosed with prostate cancer, then the most effective treatment will depend on the age of the patient and how far the cancer has spread.
