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Circulating Through Time 2B

Introduction

Even before its composition and function was fully understood, doctors realized that blood was a vital component for sustaining life. Blood, arguably our most precious commodity, has remained a mystery for thousands of years. Since the earliest depictions dating back to 2500 BC, society has used various methods such as blood letting and other rituals in an attempt to gain a deeper understanding of role of blood in the body. From the primitive experiments to the latest breakthroughs in synthetic blood, many factors have contributed to our knowledge of blood today. Investigating the cultural and scientific developments that have contributed to society's understanding and use of blood will be the focus of this project.

 

Task

As a historian for a major university, you have been given the responsibility of researching the major developments in the study of blood that have contributed to our modern understanding of its structure and uses. Using the website links provided, you will investigate both the scientific and cultural aspects of blood history. Upon completing your research, you have been asked to construct a timeline, or "Bloodline", in order to present your findings to your colleagues.

 

Process

  1. Using the links below, research the cultural and scientific aspects of the history of blood.
  2. As you conduct your research, take notes on the Student Note Sheet in order to use the information collected to construct your timeline.
  3. Once you have completed collecting all the necessary information, select 10 developments you feel were the most crucial in enhancing our understanding of blood to represent on your timeline.
  4. Construct a timeline highlighting your chosen developments. Your timeline can be constructed using one of the following methods:
      • PowerPoint
      • Video
      • Model
      • Poster
      • Scrapbook
      • or any other media approved by your teacher
  5. Present your timeline to your colleagues, otherwise known as your class, for review.
  6. Lastly, you will be required to fill out a Personal Reflection where you will describe what you learned about blood history as you worked on this project.

 

Resources

The website links below will aid you in your search for the scientific and cultural aspects of blood history:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/redgold/
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blmedical.htm
http://www.newenglandblood.org/links.htm
http://greenfield.fortunecity.com/rattler/46/blood.htm
http://www.bloodcenters.org/aboutblood/history.htm

 

Handouts:

Student Note Sheet

Personal Reflection

 

Evaluation

You will be evaluated based on the following:

1. Your ability to research your topic on the internet
2. The completed note sheet
3. Final blood history timeline
4. Presentation of timeline to the class
5. Completed personal reflection

 

Conclusion

Upon completion of your project, you will have become aware of the many discoveries throughout the history of blood that have enhanced our understanding of this life-sustaining substance. In addition, you will be able to appreciate the way in which these discoveries have contributed to our overall health as well as their implications for the future of modern medicine.