Healthy by Design
Health Innovations
1
Engage
Health Innovations
Hand Sanitizer
Electric Toothbrush
Motorized Wheelchair
MRI Machine
Health Innovations
Discussion Questions
What is the name of the innovation assigned to
you?
What is it used for? How does it work? Describe the
science and engineering behind it.
How does the innovation help people?
What did people use before this object was
invented?
How might your life (or the lives of others) be
different if this object had not been invented?
Everyday Health Innovations
This device allows a
medical professional to
listen to the internal sounds
of a human or animal.
It is most familiarly used to
listen to heart and lung
sounds.
There are several different
types in use.
The use of this device is
called “auscultation.”
[Image of stethoscope]
Everyday Health Innovations
A pedometer is a device
that measures the number
of steps a person takes.
Pedometers can help
people measure and
increase their daily activity
level.
Digital pedometers include
a sensor and software.
Many everyday electronics,
such as cell phones, come
with this device included.
[Image of digital pedometer here]
Everyday Health Innovations
The scientific name for this
device is “prosthesis.”
Prosthetic devices can be
used to replace body parts
both external and internal.
The ancient Egyptians were
early pioneers in the use of
prosthetic devices.
Modern materials have
revolutionized the creation
of prosthetic devices.
[Image of artificial limb]
Everyday Health Innovations
An insulin pump frees a
person with diabetes from
having to administer several
insulin injections daily.
The pump delivers insulin
directly into the wearer’s
body.
Many of these devices can
be “synched” with a
personal computer in order
to track dosage and history.
Everyday Health Innovations
The use of lasers to correct
vision problems was first
explored in the early 1980s.
Laser surgery does not
result in heat damage to
nearby tissues.
The procedure is very safe.
However, some patients
find that their results aren’t
permanent.
Everyday Health Innovations
Weighing scales can be used to
monitor your body weight.
A scale like this one works through
the use of levers and springs.
Digital scales are widely available
and inexpensive.
There are many types of scales—
you’ll find them at the grocery
store, the pharmacy, and the
chemistry lab, among other
places.
[Image of digital scale]
Everyday Health Innovations
Orthodontists use wires and
brackets to create braces,
which can straighten teeth.
Braces use pressure to loosen
and move teeth into the
proper alignment.
Patients usually wear braces
for a year or more to reach
the desired results.
Plastic (“invisible”) braces are
now available.
[Image of orthodontic braces]
Everyday Health Innovations
A blood pressure cuff
measures a person’s blood
pressure—the pressure exerted
by circulating blood on the
walls of blood vessels.
Regular measuring of blood
pressure is a good way to
monitor for hypertension—high
blood pressure.
Hypertension strains the heart
and can contribute to many
diseases.
[Image of digital blood pressure cuff]
Everyday Health Innovations
Along with stitches and staples, glue is often used to close
wounds.
The use of medical glue is especially helpful in treating small
children, who may be frightened by stitches or staples.
If you have a wound, do not try to glue it closed. Seek
medical attention.
Everyday Health Innovations
A thermometer measures
temperature or the difference
between two temperatures.
Digital thermometers contain a
temperature-sensitive electric
resistor.
An inexpensive computer inside
the digital thermometer
interprets the resistor’s response
into a numerical reading.
Health Innovations
Discussion Questions
What is the name of the innovation assigned to
you?
What is it used for? How does it work? Describe the
science and engineering behind it.
How does the innovation help people?
What did people use before this object was
invented?
How might your life (or the lives of others) be
different if this object had not been invented?
Game Rules
Name all the health innovations you use in an average day.
Work together with your group.
Have one person record
all your answers.
In two minutes, name all the
health innovations you use in
an average day.
Share your list with the class.
Game Results
Group 1 _________
Group 5 _________
Group 8 _________
Group 2 _________
Group 6 _________
Group 9_________
Group 3 _________
Group 7_________
Group 10 ________
Group 4 _________
2
Explore
Timed Discussion
In your small group, discuss this question about diet and how it
relates to your overall health.
How important is it to you and your friends to eat
healthy foods every day?
[Insert photo of
students eating
lunch together]
Timed Discussion
In your small group, discuss this question about diet and how it
relates to your overall health.
Do you make it a point to eat healthy choices
from all the food groups each day?
[insert
photo of
healthy
foods]
Timed Discussion
In your small group, discuss this question about physical activity
and how it relates to your overall health.
Are you physically active for at least 30 minutes
on most days?
[insert photo of
students being
physically
active]
Timed Discussion
In your small group, discuss this question about diet and how it
relates to your overall health.
How many nights a week do you sit down with
your family for a healthy meal?
[insert photo of
student eating
with his or her
family]
Concluding Discussion
Discuss these questions with the entire class.
What are some ways you could add more physical
activity into your day?
What foods or food groups do teens not get enough
of?
What foods or food groups do teens get too much of?
What’s more important: “perfect” healthy food
choices for just one day or mostly healthy choices on
most days?
MyPlate Website
Click the link to access the information on the MyPlate website.
www.choosemyplate.gov
Using MyPlate
Click the link to learn more about using MyPlate.
Launch Student Module
3
Explain
Track Your Food
Here are the guidelines for tracking your food intake.
Write down everything you eat and drink.
Estimate amounts (cups, ounces, etc) for
each item you eat or drink. Ask an adult to
help you if you need guidance in
estimating amounts.
Include snacks.
Include any beverages you consume
outside of meal times.
Class Totals
How did your class do?
Circle graph with
percentages
4
Extend
Make Your Own Innovation
Remember that innovation is “the act of introducing
something new.”
Create an innovation to help students lead healthier
lives according to the MyPlate guidelines.
Consider the needs of the innovation’s users.
Describe the goal of your innovation.
Explain how your innovation will work.
Describe how your innovation will help people.
Make a detailed sketch of your innovation.
5
Evaluate
Presentation Guidelines
Present your innovation to the class.
Choose one person to be the main spokesperson.
Describe the innovation, who it will help, and how it
works.
Present your visual representation of the innovation.
Present your advertisement for the innovation.
Answer any questions from your teacher and
classmates.
Assignment Rubric
Use this rubric to evaluate group presentations.
Presentation Element
Description of
innovation, who it will
help, and how it works
Maximum Points Possible
25
Visual representation
of the innovation
30
Advertisement
35
Answers to
student/teacher
questions
10