Contextualization

Water is the main constituent of the human body and is essential for survival. It occupies approximately 60 to 70% of the human body. I believe everyone has heard the advice to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, right? But why is this so important?

Firstly, it is important to understand that water is not only in our glasses but in every part of our body. It is in our cells, in our blood, inside and between cells. Water is a vital component in many physiological processes, including digestion, absorption, nutrient transport, blood circulation, and body temperature regulation. Without water, the human body would not be able to function properly.

Theoretical Introduction

To understand the functions of water in our body, it is essential to understand the principles of biochemistry and cell biology. These scientific disciplines study the chemical composition of cells and the role of various types of molecules in cellular functions. For example, water is an important medium for the transport of different substances around the body. This is crucial for the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment, known as homeostasis.

Water also acts as a lubricant, aiding in functions such as digestion and nutrient absorption. Furthermore, it is responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients to our cells. Without a sufficient presence of water, the transport of these vital elements would be impossible.

Moreover, water plays an important role in body thermoregulation. This is because sweating (one of the main mechanisms for controlling our body temperature) is mainly done through the evaporation of water on the skin. When we are hot, our bodies produce sweat (water and salts) that, when evaporating, cools the skin and consequently lowers our body temperature.

Practical Activity: "The Journey of Water in the Human Body"

Activity Title

"The Journey of Water in the Human Body"

Project Objective

This project aims to understand the various functions of water in the human body and how it is essential for life maintenance.

Detailed Project Description

Student groups will create an interactive and fun presentation explaining the journey of water through the human body. The presentation can be in the form of theater, animation, explanatory video, slides with illustrations, or any other form that students find interesting and can address the topic as comprehensively as possible.

Required Materials

The materials will vary according to the type of presentation each group decides to create. They may include: paper, pens, colored pencils, markers, cardboard, computer with presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc.), camera for video recording, theater costumes, etc.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Completion

1. Form groups of 3 to 5 students.

2. Each group should start by researching the functions of water in the human body, using the suggested sources and/or other reliable resources.

3. Based on the research, the groups should outline a "water journey" detailing how it enters the body, passes through different systems and organs, and its various functions.

4. After deciding on the presentation format (theater, animation, video, slides, etc.), the groups should start developing their presentation.

5. Students should take turns in roles according to the type of presentation they chose to ensure that everyone actively participates in the project.

6. The groups present their project to the class, clearly explaining each stage of the "water journey" through the human body.

Project Delivery

• At the end of the project, each group must submit a detailed report in word or pdf format, containing the following sections:

  1. Introduction: The student must contextualize the theme, its relevance and real-world application, as well as the objective of this project.

  2. Development: The student must explain the theory behind the central theme of the project, detail the activity, indicate the methodology used, and finally present and discuss the results obtained.

  3. Conclusion: The student must conclude the work by summarizing its main points, explaining the learnings obtained, and drawing conclusions about the project.

  4. Bibliography: The student must indicate the sources they relied on to work on the project such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

• The report must be submitted by the group within a week after the presentation is completed.

• In addition to the report, the groups must submit a record of the presentation, which can be in the form of video, photos, slides used, scripts, among others, depending on the chosen format for the presentation.