Mechanical Lung Air Pressure Simulator STEM Lab (BIO03)

Bring respiratory system anatomy, thoracic volume dynamics, diaphragm muscle mechanics, and Boyle's Law to life with the Mechanical Lung Air Pressure Simulator STEM Lab (BIO03)! Designed for Middle School Life Science, Biology, Human Anatomy, Math, and STEM classes, this 3-page, print-ready lab packet challenges students to construct a working chest cavity model to visualize pressure-driven respiration.

What Is Included in This 3-Page Packet?

• 📋 Page 1: Teacher Guide & Lesson Plan

  Features NGSS alignment (MS-LS1-2 Cell & Body Systems, MS-LS1-3 Body System Subsystems Interaction, MS-ETS1-2 Engineering Design), key pulmonary physics concepts, bottle preparation setup directions, expected learning outcomes, and a full teacher answer key.

• 🫁 Page 2: Student Mission Card & Blueprint

  Hooks students with a real-world biomedical engineering scenario to design pulmonary ventilator devices. Includes material constraints (plastic bottle, 3 balloons, Y-connector or straws, tape, rubber band, scissors, metric ruler) and a dedicated schematic sketching zone to diagram diaphragm displacement, internal volume expansion, and air pressure vectors.

• 📊 Page 3: Testing Log & Scientific Reflection

  Features a structured lab data table tracking diaphragm pull displacement in centimeters, balloon lung inflation state, internal pressure condition, and airflow observations. Includes an applied math section to calculate the Volume Expansion Ratio (Lung Diameter / Diaphragm Displacement), followed by reflection questions analyzing Boyle's Law, atmospheric pressure forces, and pneumothorax puncture failure.

Educational Value & Key Benefits:

• Hands-On Respiratory Physics: Connects muscular contractions and thoracic volume changes directly to air pressure differentials and gas flow.

• Integrates Applied Math & Metric Ratios: Teaches students how to measure physical displacement in centimeters and compute expansion efficiency ratios.

• Low-Cost High-Engagement STEM: Uses accessible, recycled items like plastic bottles, balloons, straws, and rubber bands for an unforgettable middle school biology lab across Grades 6–8.