Association for Biology Laboratory Education

Educational Modules of Skeletal Muscle Anatomy and Function with Models and Active Data Gathering Related to Muscular Dystrophy
    



Advances in Biology Laboratory Education, 2020, Volume 41

Robin L. Cooper, Rebecca M. Krall, Michael P. Schultz, Ann S. O’Neil, & Esther E. Dupont-Versteegden

https://doi.org/10.37590/able.v41.art64

Abstract

An emphasis in education is the application of integrated STEM knowledge to explore potential transdisciplinary solutions to real-world problems. The goal of this problem-based module is to develop the learner’s STEM content knowledge they apply in explaining a human health issue – muscular dystrophy. The module opens with a classmate that has recently been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and is seeking help from peers to learn about this disease. Concepts addressed include skeletal muscle anatomy and physiology, and the cellular physiology of the muscle cell; which are applied in formulating explanations describing muscle cell function in healthy individuals and those with a disease. Students conduct literature research and investigate muscle cell function to learn the anatomy and physiology of healthy and diseased muscle tissue. Subsequent engineering design activities challenge teams to build 2-D and 3-D models used in explaining muscular dystrophy to their friend. Team presentations incorporate the testing and feedback needed to modify models to provide the best tools for explaining the disease.

Keywords:  physiology, skeletal muscle, stereology, anatomy, models

University of Ottawa (2019)