Respiratory System Model
Assignment:
Each group will use the following materials to design and build a model of the respiratory system.
Using the information from the previous video, each group should discuss and decide on the design
of the model.
Materials: (specified colors are optional)
1 - 6"x 4.5" (¼ sheet) piece of pink or gray construction paper (trachea)
1 - plastic 2-liter soda bottle with bottom cut off (thoracic cavity)
2 - round 9" or 12" pink balloons (lungs)
2 - drinking straws (bronchi)
1 - medium-sized plastic bag large enough to fit over bottom end of bottle (diaphragm)
3 or 4 cotton balls
transparent tape
1 - medium-size, thin rubber band
Test your knowledge:
1. Put the puzzle of the respiratory system together.
2. Color and label the parts of the respiratory system. The completed puzzle should depict a cutaway
view of the human respiratory system with labeled arrows pointing to the parts. These parts will
include the nostrils, trachea, bronchi, alveoli, lungs, and diaphragm.
3. Explain in a paragraph of no less than 4 sentences the function of the diaphragm in respiration.
Include the terms diffusion, air pressure, expand, contract, inhale, and exhale (or variations of
those terms) as they relate to the diaphragm and lungs.
Respiratory System Model
If adjusting this project for an inquiry level 0 or 1, you may give the instructions below for more
guidance.
Procedure:
1. Insert each flex end of 2 straws into 2 separate balloons and tape together above the flex and at the top.
These are bronchi and lungs.
2. Straw end first, insert these through open bottom of modified 2-liter soda bottle and bring ends of
straws up through the neck of the bottle.
3. Stuff neck of soda bottle with cotton balls around straws until spaces are plugged.
4. Roll construction paper into a tube just round enough to fit over the tops of the straws. Tape closed and
place over tops of two straws. This will be the trachea.
5. Place a plastic bag over bottom end of the bottle and use the rubber band to hold it in place. This will
serve as the diaphragm.
6. Grasp bottom of plastic bag and pull down and push up. Watch as the "lungs" expand and contract as
you do this. Try covering the upper end of the "trachea" straws so that the air supply is cut off and test the
“diaphragm” again. What happens?