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Empower Health Science Lab
Learn · Act · Thrive
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LAB · ELEMENTARY (1–5)

❤️‍🔥 Heart Hero — Your Cardiovascular System

Your heart beats ~100,000 times a day. Investigate how it works, what makes it stronger, and what hurts it.

Progress: 0 / 4 stages complete

How to do this lab — read me first!

  1. 1.Take the pre-quiz below. Type your answer into the box for each question — it's okay if you're not sure! This shows what you already know. Spelling doesn't have to be perfect, and CAPS or lowercase both work the same.
  2. 2.Read the lab sections below the quiz — they explain the science in plain words. Tap "Go deeper" on any card for extra info.
  3. 3.Work through each lab module by tapping the bubbles near the top. Read it, then press "Mark module complete" to unlock the next one.
  4. 4.Do the hands-on sorting activity — use the up/down arrows to put the items in the right order, then press Check my order.
  5. 5.Take the post-quiz. It unlocks after you finish everything above. Type your answers in — short answers are fine, just write the main idea.
  6. 6.Sign in to save your scores and earn a badge. No account? You can still explore the whole lab.

💡 Stuck on a question? Scroll back and re-read the section about it, then return and try again. There's no time limit!

📝 Pre-quiz — what do you already know?

✏️ Type your answer in the box. Spelling close enough is OK — UPPER or lower case both work.

1. About how many times does your heart beat per day?

2. Blood carries…

3. Cardio means…

4. How many chambers does the human heart have?

5. Arteries carry blood…

6. When you exercise, your heart rate goes up because…

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The 2-stage pump

Your heart has 4 chambers. The right side pumps blood to your lungs to grab oxygen; the left side pumps oxygen-rich blood to your body.

What strengthens your heart

  • · Aerobic exercise (running, biking, dancing)
  • · Sleep (the heart slows and repairs)
  • · Less added sugar and sodium
  • · No smoking or vaping ever

What weakens it over time

  • · Long-term high blood pressure
  • · Lots of processed food
  • · Chronic stress without coping tools
  • · Sedentary days (sitting hours straight)

Fun fact

Laughing increases blood flow about 20%. Movement, friendship, and even good comedy support heart health.

Key vocabulary

Cardiovascular
About the heart (cardio) and blood vessels (vascular).
Atrium / Ventricle
Heart chambers — atria receive blood, ventricles pump it out.
Pulse
The wave of pressure you feel when the heart pushes blood through arteries.

Lab modules

Work through each module in order. Mark each one complete to unlock the post-quiz.

How the heart works

Your heart is a two-stage pump. Right side sends blood to the lungs for oxygen; left side ships oxygen-rich blood to your body. ~100,000 beats a day.

Anatomy crash course

  • · Right atrium → right ventricle → lungs
  • · Left atrium → left ventricle → body
  • · Valves keep blood flowing one way
  • · Coronary arteries feed the heart muscle itself

Heart rate basics

Resting HR for healthy teens: 60–100 bpm. Lower (in trained athletes) usually means a stronger pump moving more blood per beat.

Key takeaways from this module

  • Two pumps, one organ.
  • Lower resting HR often = stronger heart.
  • Coronary arteries feed the heart itself — keep them clear.

Hands-on activity: Blood flow through the heart

Trace one drop of blood from body → lungs → body. Put the stops in order.

  1. 1.Body (deoxygenated)
  2. 2.Right atrium
  3. 3.Lungs (pick up oxygen)
  4. 4.Left ventricle
  5. 5.Left atrium
  6. 6.Right ventricle
  7. 7.Body (oxygenated)

Apply it — real-world challenge

Find your pulse on your wrist. Count beats for 15 seconds, multiply by 4. Then jog in place for 1 minute and measure again. Why does it change?

Post-quiz locked

Finish all 4 lab modules (0/4 done). Complete the hands-on activity above.