Children will be fascinated by this information about the body and inventions used to overcome its frailties. There are many exciting activities to do:
* Keep a listening diary, recording the types of sounds and classifying them.
* Conduct a survey on the theme of favourite sounds. Design a questionnaire to establish what sounds are most popular and why. Write about the feelings different sounds evoke.
* Prepare a talk on how the ear works. Make sure it demonstrates where the various implants are fitted.
* Devise a test to establish which materials best conduct sound.
* In a group, using a model of the eye and a suitable lens, give a demonstration of how an operation to remove a cataract is done.
* Investigate how long heart transplant patients have survived after the operation. Plot the results on a graph.
* Interview somebody who has had a cataract removed or a hip replaced. How has the operation improved their life?
* Devise a test to establish the hearing range of different adults in school.
* Present a drama piece that demonstrates hearing. Have groups represent the different parts involved, for instance, sound waves, the malleus (hammer) incus (anvil) and the various nerve fibres (receptors).
* Talk to an occupational therapist or specialist teacher about the way school buildings can be adapted for pupils with sight or hearing difficulties.
* Test the relative strengths of different glues. Investigate how they work. Investigate other bonding processes.
* Draw a flow chart to demonstrate the function of the heart. Use small stickers to indicate how items such as heartpacers and defibrillators are used.
* Use the internet to investigate what parts of the body have been transplanted or replaced.
* Investigate how different types of hearing aids work.
* Visit the websites of some of the companies mentioned in the article. What research are they doing? What’s next?
* Investigate ancient approaches to medicine. Which have proved forerunners to current practice? Which led to a dead end?
