“Full of Hot Air”
Activity Overview: This activity will help the students to understand the capacity of lung to hold air.
SC 3.7. B.2 .a,b
1.6-8.A/1.6-8.B
Objective: Students will identify the process of breathing and the main function of their Materials:
lung. Supplies needed
gallon jug
Cells :Recognize and provide examples that human beings, like other organisms have complex body
systems of cells, tissues and organs that interact to support an organism's growth and survival. water
Describe and explain that the complex set of systems found in multicellular organisms are made up of rubber or plastic tubing 18-
different kinds of tissues and organs which are themselves composed of differentiated cells. 24 in.
Select several body systems and explain the role of cells, tissues and organs that effectively carry out
a vital function for the organism, such as
plastic straw
Obtaining food and providing energy (digestive, circulatory, respiratory) graduated cylinder
Defense (nervous, endocrine, circulatory, muscular, skeletal, immune) dishpan or large bucket
Reproduction (reproductive, endocrine, circulatory)
Waste removal (excretory, respiratory, circulatory)
Constructing Knowledge
Design, analyze or carry out simple investigations and formulate appropriate conclusions based on the
data obtained or provided.
Applying Evidence and Reasoning.
Review data from a simple experiment, summarize the data, and construct a logical argument about
the cause and effect.
Procedures:
Question: What is the function of the respiratory system? Describe the main function of your lungs.
Vocabulary: lungs breathing, air sacs, inhalation, exhalation
Steps
1 . Fill the gallon jug to the top with water.
2. . Fill the dishpan or bucket with water, about one-fourth full.
3.. With one hand, cover the mouth of the jug as you lower it upside down into the bucket or pan of water, allowing as little air as
possible to enter the jug.
4. Place one end of the rubber tubing into the mouth of the jug.
5. Place the plastic straw in the other end of the rubber tubing and hold it there.
6. Take a deep breath and put your mouth on the straw. Blow into it until you have exhaled all the air from your lungs.
7. Slide your hand over the mouth of the jug and turn it right side up without letting any water escape.
8. Measure the amount of air that you exhaled by using the measuring cup or graduated cylinder to see how much water is needed
to fill the jug back up with water. The amount of air you exhaled is the amount of water needed to fill the jug. (Note: You can
measure and mark off the jug ahead of time with tape. Start at the bottom when measuring.)
Results: My lung capacity is ____________ (mL or cups).
Cautions safety curriculum
Only conduct an activity when a teacher is around.
Always be aware of the location of all safety equipment
Be careful in blowing the end of rubber tubing.
Vernier lesson: Students can use the Vernier by getting students temperature before and after the blowing process.
Websites, source of the lesson or references