What are STEM subjects?
STEM subjects, such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, involve investigating, measuring, calculating and explaining. Some topics have a spatial aspect. In biology, for example, consider the structure of the heart.
MetaChef offers a 3D model of the human heart. Below, you can read how to use this model in a lesson about the heart and circulation. The questions and activities are suggestions for you to add to your lesson as a teacher.
A lesson example: the heart and circulation
1. Look at the heart from different angles
Ask students to look at the 3D heart model from different angles. Ask what they recognise from the illustration in their textbook and have them point out where those parts are in the model.
2. Name the parts and explain their functions
Choose the parts that fit your learning objective. Ask students to point them out and describe their functions in their own words. Discuss their answers and use your explanation or the textbook to add any missing information.
3. Connect the model to circulation
Connect the parts of the heart to your explanation of circulation. With the model in front of them, ask students to describe the route blood takes through the heart. Then ask them to draw that route on paper and explain their drawing.
Vary the support around the same heart model
You can create activities around the same model with different amounts of support. For example, provide a step-by-step guide with focused questions, or ask students to name parts and explain their functions independently. Keep the learning objective the same and adapt the activity to what students already know and the explanation they need.
Using the 3D model in your biology lesson
Start with what students should be able to explain or point out by the end of the lesson. Then choose which parts of the heart to cover, prepare your questions and decide how to discuss the answers. Use the 3D model alongside your explanation and textbook.
Read more about this subject in our article on learning biology with 3D learning resources.
Explore our 3D learning resources for education for more information about MetaChef's range.