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Activity 5D: Pulmo-Park Pom-Pom Shooter: Measuring the Effect of Restricted Breathing on Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
A pom-pom shooter is one of the easiest and most entertaining tools your students will ever use in science class. Students simply place a small pom-pom into the mouthpiece, and blow as hard as possible with one breath. Student “spotters” will measure the distance traveled by each pom-pom and record the information for the person using the pom-pom shooter. The process is repeated with “restriction mouthpieces” placed on the pom-pom shooter. Data is analyzed and students see, very graphically, how restriction or obstruction can affect their PEF.
Objectives:
- Relate distance traveled by a pom-pom after being shot through a pom-pom shooter to peak expiratory flow (PEF)
- Explain the effect of simulated pulmonary obstructive and restrictive disorders on PEF
- Identify independent and dependent variables
- Formulate a hypothesis
- Collect, tabulate, graph, and analyze data
- Explain the difference between obstructive and restrictive pulmonary diseases and provide examples of each
Teacher Background Information 5D- Teacher Administrative Information 5D
- Teacher Group Task Cards 5D
- Teacher Peak Flow Nomogram 5D
- Teacher Station Instruction Cards 5D
- Student Background Information 5D
- Student Data Pages 5D
- How to Make a Pom Pom Shooter Diagram 5D
- Pre-Post Test 5D
- Pre-Post Test Answer Sheet & Key 5D
Keywords:
Pom-pom shooter, distance, restriction, obstruction, peak expiratory flow, PEF, pulmonary disorder
Activity Code:
5DUnit Reference:
Pulmo ParkLesson Reference:
Lesson 5: Fill it Up: Pulmonary Health