Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

The Greatest Showman

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

In this activity, the students will diagnose the various disorders of the applicants in the hiring scene of the movie, The Greatest Showman. The students will complete a case study activity sheet on the characters.

This activity is a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

    Science (2015) Grade(s): 09-12 - Human Anatomy and Physiology

    SC15.HAP.13

    Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to support the claim that the endocrine glands secrete hormones that help the body maintain homeostasis through feedback loops.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.HAP.13

    Vocabulary

    • ductless glands
    • endocrine glands
    • endocrine secretions
    • environmental signals
    • exocrine glands
    • exocrine secretions
    • hormones
    • receptors
    • target cells
    • ligand
    • surface receptor
    • internal receptor
    • effector
    • negative feedback
    • agonists
    • antagonists
    • peptide hormones
    • lipid hormones
    • pituitary gland (anterior and posterior)
    • hypothalamus
    • releasing hormones
    • oxytocin
    • prolactin
    • growth hormone
    • pineal gland
    • melatonin
    • serotonin
    • adrenal glands
    • glucocorticosterioids
    • cortisol
    • mineralcorticosteroids
    • adrenaline
    • epinephrine
    • thyroid gland
    • parathyroid gland
    • calcitonin
    • parathyroid hormone
    • pancreas
    • insulin
    • glucagon
    • thymus gland
    • thymosin
    • gonads (ovaries, testes)
    • estrogen
    • progesterone
    • testosterone
    • pituitary dwarfism
    • Addison's disease
    • diabetes mellitus
    • diabetes insipidus

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • The endocrine system is composed of glands that produce endocrine secretions that go directly into the blood and are cellular signals.
    • Hormones work through a feedback loop—they attach to receptors on target cells, cause a metabolic change within the target cell, which causes the target cell (effector) to act in response to the stimulus or signal.
    • Chemicals that carry out the job of a hormone by turning on a cell response are called agonists.
    • Chemicals that carry out the job of a hormone by turning off a cell response are called antagonists.
    • There are two types of hormones—peptide hormones are usually involved in rapid body changes and lipid hormones play a role in body fluid control and sexual reproduction.
    • The human endocrine system is composed of ten endocrine glands: hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, parathyroid glands, thyroid, thymus, adrenal, pancreas, ovary and testis.
    • Each of the endocrine glands produces specific hormones that effect various functions within the body.
    • Each endocrine gland needs some type of feedback signal to control its level of hormone production.
    • Diseases of the endocrine system can cause too much or too little hormone secretion.
    • Changes in hormone production contribute to aging.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Gather, read, and interpret scientific information about the endocrine system and its structure, including endocrine glands and the hormones they produce.
    • Evaluate, based on evidence, the claim that endocrine glands secrete hormones that help the body maintain homeostasis through feedback loops.
    • Communicate scientific information, in multiple formats (e.g., orally, graphically, textually) to explain the structure and function of the endocrine system, as a whole, and of its intrinsic parts.
    • Use scientific literature to identify conditions and diseases that effect the endocrine system.
    • Evaluate, based on evidence, how these conditions and diseases affect the body.
    • Analyze data in order to make a valid and reliable scientific claim about how the body responds to the identified conditions and diseases in its attempt to maintain homeostasis.
    • Analyze data to determine a correlation and possible cause and effect relationship.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • The endocrine system is composed of several glands throughout the body that secrete hormones to specific target tissues.
    • The endocrine system uses feedback loops to maintain homeostasis within the human body.
    • Genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors can contribute to the development of endocrine disorders.
    • Lifestyle choices and various medications can help alleviate some endocrine disorders.
    • Multiple systems interact to play a part in endocrine function and pathology.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Cause and Effect; Structure and Function

    Phase

    After/Explain/Elaborate
    Learning Objectives

    Learning Objectives

    The students will describe the endocrine disorders shown in the video clip from the movie The Greatest Showman.

    Activity Details

    The students will watch the video clip from The Greatest Showman. After watching this movie clip, the students will be given the activity sheet that describes the various endocrine disorders shown. The students will then diagnose each of the applicants shown in the video based on their knowledge of the endocrine system.  

    The Greatest Showman Activity Sheet

    Assessment Strategies

    Assessment Strategies

    The teacher will formatively assess the students' understanding of the endocrine system while walking around the classroom asking the students questions. The teacher will be able to summatively assess the students' understanding of the endocrine system after the students turn in their case study results.  

    Variation Tips

    The teacher may have students select one of the case studies and complete more research. The student will identify the modern treatments and medications available for this condition.

    The teacher may have students identify at least two other “human curiosities” that might be a result of a homeostatic imbalance of the endocrine system.

    Background and Preparation

    Background / Preparation

    The students will need to have prior knowledge about the endocrine system and its glands.

    The teacher will need to print the activity sheet and make copies.

    Digital Tools / Resources

    ALSDE LOGO