Context

Introduction

In our daily lives, we perform a series of activities that require energy. Whether it's studying, playing, or simply breathing, our body needs fuel to function. Have you ever stopped to think where this energy comes from? It comes from the food we eat. But how do foods turn into energy? This is where our digestive system comes in, a complex set of organs with the function of transforming the foods we ingest into nutrients that our body can use.

The digestion process begins in the mouth, with chewing and the action of enzymes that start breaking down food molecules. The chewed food, now called a bolus, passes through the esophagus until it reaches the stomach, where it is mixed with gastric juices that continue the process of breaking down the molecules. From the stomach, the bolus moves to the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed and pass into the bloodstream, which will distribute them throughout the body. Unabsorbed waste is expelled from the body through the large intestine.

Context

Understanding how our digestive system works is essential to comprehend the importance of proper nutrition. A balanced diet provides our body with the necessary nutrients for the development and maintenance of our vital functions. When we ignore this importance and consume foods rich in sugars and fats, or when we eat more than necessary, we can negatively affect the functioning of our digestive system, leading to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, among others.

This understanding is also crucial for professionals in fields such as medicine and nutrition, where knowledge of the digestive system is key to the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases and eating disorders. Furthermore, the study of the digestive system can inspire the development of new technologies, such as smart pills that can be swallowed to monitor our digestive system.

Activity

Activity Title: Journey through the Digestive System

Objective

The project aims to help students understand the path and importance of the Digestive System, relating it to good nutrition and the health of the body.

Detailed Project Description

In this activity, groups will create a representation of the Digestive System using recycled materials, as well as put together a theatrical presentation about the journey of food in the digestion process. The activity aims to relate the acquired knowledge in a playful way to practice, stimulating collaboration and creativity among students.

Required Materials

1. Recyclable materials (cardboard, PET bottles, bottle caps, etc.)
2. Scissors
3. Glue
4. Paints and brushes
5. Old clothes for creating costumes
6. Computer with internet access for research

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

Part 1: Model Construction

1. Divide the class into groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Each group should research the Digestive System, focusing on the organs and their respective functions.
3. After the research, each group should build a model of the Digestive System using the recyclable materials.

Part 2: Theatrical Presentation

1. With the model ready, students should prepare a theatrical presentation showing the path of food through the digestive system. Each student will represent one of the system's organs and explain its function in the process.
2. During the presentation, groups should focus on the healthy aspects of nutrition and how it interacts with the digestive system.
3. The presentations will be recorded and shared with the class.

Part 3: Report

1. After completing the practical part, each group should write a report addressing the theory behind the digestive system, explaining the digestion process and the model construction.
2. The report should contain the following four main topics: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography used.

Project Deliverables

Students must deliver the digestive system model, the video of the theatrical presentation, and the report. The activity should be well-documented, with photos of the model creation process and the presentation stages. Students should explain in the report how the knowledge acquired about the digestive system was applied in the model construction and theatrical presentation, and what were the main difficulties encountered and how they were overcome as a group.

The written report should be structured as follows:

• Introduction: Students should give a brief introduction to the digestive system theme and its importance for human health.
• Development: The section will be divided into two parts. In the first part, students should detail how they built the digestive system model, explain the role of each organ in the digestion process, and how they represented it in the model. In the second part, students should describe the preparation process of the theatrical presentation, explaining how each student participated in the performance and which role they played.
• Conclusion: Students should reflect on what they learned throughout the project, the importance of healthy eating and how it interacts with the digestive system.
• Bibliography: Students should cite the research sources used for the project.