SPEAKING OF SPACE

Your assignment for the final Speaking of Space activity is very different from the previous Speaking of Space activities. The present activity centers around the integrated physiology flow chart shown in Figure 29. The flow chart shows 26 differen t physiological changes that occur in the astronauts in space. Certainly these are not the only changes that occur in space and, in fact, while carrying out this exercise you may come up with a few more. Depending on how many chapters you have covered in class, you should be more or less familiar with the various elements of this chart. If you're not now, you will be soon!

For this activity, your class will develop a presentation to describe the individual changes that appear in Figure 29, along with a description of how they are connected. The name of your class presentatio n might be "Integrated Physiology in Space." The class should break into seven groups to cover the following seven topics (the chapter reference is indicated for each one):

  • an introductory description of the entire flow chart, naming each of the body changes but emphasizing and describing the environmental changes that appear in the white boxes (the Introduction chapter);
  • the cardiovascular/cardiopulmonary changes (Focus 2);
  • the hematology (blood) changes (Focus 3);
  • the fluid/electrolyte/hormone changes (Focus 4);
  • the muscle changes (Focus 5);
  • the bone changes (Focus 6);
  • the neurosensory/vestibular changes (Focus 7).
Certain groups will be smaller than others, depending on how many "boxes" appear on the flow chart for each topic. Each group should divide the job up so that each person in the group can plan for and describe a particular component of the topic in your group's presentation. The entire presentation by each group should consist of individual presentations from each person, but at the same time, the individual presentations should be connected so that you can lead the audience through a descri ption of your entire topic.

The main point is to provide a description of how these various body systems change in space and how these changes are integrated together.

Therefore, each group should also include in their presentation an explanation of how their topic is related to other group's topics.

Here are a few guidelines to help you plan a complete and effective presentation.

  1. You should design your presentation as if your audience has never heard the information before. This means that you must first provide enough background so that your audience will understand the significance of your topic. That is, you should e xplain why the study of your topic was important. Keep the audience foremost in your mind as you design your presentation and always make it as easy as possible to understand.
  2. You must present information about:
    • what the changes are;
    • how they are different from Earth physiology;
    • how the physiological changes in your topic are related;
    • how the physiological changes in your topic relate to changes in other topics;
    • generally how the changes were measured;
    • what the significance of the changes are;
    • how the information may be able to help us understand the body or treat health problems here on Earth.
  3. Use visual aids to present illustrations, graphs, or tables of values. If you choose to produce a graph, include a title, the units of measurement on each axis, a legend, and make it as clear as possible. For tables, also include a title and un its of measurement.

After each presentation, there should be a short question and answer (Q&A) period so that the audience has the chance to ask relevant, thoughtful questions. Rely on your team members to help you answer the questions.

Good luck!

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