Eye Can Learn About Physiology through PhUn Week

Abstract

Physiology Understanding (PhUn) Week, a national science outreach program of the American Physiological Society provided a great opportunity to deliver innovations in teaching into the classroom in San Antonio. The city has a high prevalence of vision problems, some of them which may be preventable with proper nutrition. Most PhUn Week activities engage students on the physiology of the heart, circulation, and the lungs, but we decided to introduce and enhance middle school student's understanding of the eye during PhUn Week. We developed a collection of hands‐on vision physiology activities specifically for middle school students.MethodIn 2014, over 500 middle school students from Clara Driscoll and E.T. Wrenn Middle Schools in San Antonio, Texas participated in several 10 minute activities that we developed during PhUn Week. The activities included examining the parts of the eye looking up close at cow eye specimens and a human eye anatomical model to make functional correlates for each structure examined. We further evaluated the integrity of this functional system by demonstration of pupils responding to light, finding their blind spot, showing them x‐ray vision, and shifting images. During the 45 minute session the students were also given a presentation describing the eye safety, common diseases of the eye, and contained a discussion on eye nutrition.ResultMany students gained a greater understanding of the eye, how it works, its importance, and the link between good nutrition and healthy eyesight. These activities also highlighted for students the impact of physiology in their daily lives – to sense the world around them.ConclusionBecause of PhUn week, we were able to deliver innovative vision physiology activities at middle school in our community.