Teach Engineering: The Strongest Pump of All

In this instructional activity the students will learn how the heart functions. Students will be introduced to the concept of action potential generation. The instructional activity will explain how action potential generation causes the electrical current that causes muscle contraction in the heart. Students will be introduced to the basic electrical signal generated by the heart; P, QRS, and T waves. The instructional activity will approach the heart from an engineering standpoint and encourage students to design ways to improve heart function. Students will also learn the basic steps of the engineering design process.