Advances in Physiology Education, Vol 269, Issue 6 32-S36, Copyright © 1995 by American Physiological Society
Hearts, lungs, and children: a physiologist returns to kindergarten
D. Curran-Everett
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262, USA.
Scientific illiteracy is a prevalent problem: between kindergarten and high
school, most children progressively lose their inherent affinity for
science exploration. The correction of this deficiency requires vigorous
participation by the scientific community. This paper details my
experiences introducing kindergartners to the basics of cardiorespiratory
physiology: pulmonary ventilation and circulatory transport of oxygen. More
important, my presentation gives children an opportunity to participate in
the process of scientific inquiry and to discover and explore the mystique
of real hearts and lungs. The children and their teachers truly enjoy the
demonstration. In particular, my use of animal organs meets with phenomenal
success: the children are enchanted by my inflation and their exploration
of pig lungs, and one teacher told me weeks afterward that her students
were still "bragging of how they touched a real heart and lung." Young
children delight in science exploration and marvel at the wonder inherent
to physiology. Armed with an intriguing hands-on presentation and a spirit
of adventure and fun, any scientist can return to kindergarten. The rewards
are likely to be profound.
