Review with students the parts of the circulatory system.
Organize students into teams of five and tell them they are going to have a relay race to see which team can complete a race of the circulatory system in the shortest amount of time.
Explain the rules of the race and demonstrate the path they will take.
Have each team run the race. Begin timing each team when the first student enters the left ventricle and stop when the last student enters the left atrium. Keep a record to see which team circulates through the system most efficiently.
Extension: Ask students to write a creative story following a red blood cell though the circulatory system. Encourage students to include the major parts of the circulatory system as characters in the story.
Note: The entire activity, with complete directions and background
information for teachers, is available at A
Circulatory System Relay.
