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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

EKG Heart Lab

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EKG Heart Lab

A 11-12th grade STEM lesson

Nick Fruit

5/22/24

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Notes for teachers

  • This lesson takes part in a unit about the cardiovascular system and the electrical pacemakers contained within the heart.
  • This lesson will fill up a 50 minute period.
  • Students will work in groups of 3-4 students.
  • An emphasis and data collection and interpretation

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List of Materials

  • Backyard Brain Heart and Brain SpikerBox
  • EKG electrodes
  • Smartphone
  • Spike Recorder app

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Science Standards

Essential HS.L1U1.20

Ask questions and/or make predictions based on observations and evidence to demonstrate how cellular organization, structure, and function allow organisms to maintain homeostasis.

HS-LS1-3 Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.

Science and Engineering Practices

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  • ask questions and define problems
  • develop and use models
  • plan and carry out investigations
  • analyze and interpret data
  • use mathematical and computational thinking
  • construct explanations and design solutions
  • engage in argument from evidence
  • obtain, evaluate and communicate information

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ELA Standards

11-12.RI.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in print in order to address a question or solve a problem.

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Objective(s):

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to read an EKG chart correctly, recognize the main parts of the EKG wave, and use this information to guess possible heart issues.

You will also have an understanding of the communication taking place between your brain and your heart, and you will see and listen to the contraction of your heart.

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Agenda (lesson time)

Introduction/hook. (5 min)

Overview of the PRQST wave function anatomy. (5 min)

Experiment setup and execution: (30min)

Data analysis and conclusions (10 min)

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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The lesson will start with a real-world scenario: a patient comes into the ER with chest pain and the doctor needs to interpret the EKG to diagnose the problem. I will present students with a simplified EKG reading and ask them to analyze it in small groups, discussing what they believe might be the issue based on their current understanding. This will stimulate curiosity and set the stage for the lesson.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

  • Groups of 3-4
  • Place the electrodes according to the picture using configuration 1. (Don’t use configuration 2 for obvious reasons).
  • Plug electrodes into the spiker box.
  • Plug in your interface cable to your phone.
  • Watch and record your heart contraction data.
  • Disconnect electrodes and start doing some type of exercise.
  • Restart from the beginning after your exercise.

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Assessment

Question 1: What is the primary function of the EKG electrical conduction system in the heart?

  • A: To pump blood throughout the body
  • B: To regulate the heart's rhythm and rate
  • C: To filter the blood before it enters the heart
  • D: To provide oxygen to the heart muscles

Question 2: Which of the following components of the EKG electrical conduction system is responsible for initiating the electrical impulse that triggers a heartbeat?

  • A: Bundle of His
  • B: Purkinje fibers
  • C: Sinoatrial (SA) node
  • D: Atrioventricular (AV) node

Question 3: How does a problem with the EKG electrical conduction system potentially affect the heart's function?

  • A: It can cause the heart to beat too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly
  • B: It can cause the heart to pump blood in the wrong direction
  • C: It can cause the heart to stop producing new blood cells
  • D: It can cause the heart to stop receiving oxygen

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Differentiation

Provide additional resources or simplified instructions for students who may struggle with the scientific concepts.

  • Simplify the ekg procedure or provide pre-assembled components for students who may need more guidance.

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Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

  • Research Project:
    • Assign advanced students a research project on recent advancements in diagnosing with EKGs requiring a presentation to the class.
  • Real-world Application:
    • Challenge students to identify a specific real-world problem that EKGs could address. Have them present their ideas and potential solutions.

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