1. Type II Diabetes: A Growing Adolescent Epidemic? Joanne Yonan Lakeview High School Chicago Public Schools IIT Research Mentor: Ali Cinar This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant No. EEC-0502174. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

2. Overview Thematic unit that incorporates inquiry, ethics, and design Creating nutritionally balanced diets The role insulin plays in maintaining appropriate glucose levels Exercise is important in maintaining health How food choices are influenced?

3. Pre and Post Tests 50% increase in the students understanding of differences and likenesses between scientists and engineers 33% increase in additional knowledge of foods necessary in a healthy diet 66% increase in how insulin works in maintaining blood sugar 33% increase improved their understanding of diabetes

4. Scientific Inquiry What is a healthy diet What happens to blood sugar levels in an unhealthy diet? How does environment affect enzyme activity? What are healthy foods? What body processes are involved in homeostasis? Why does a person become diabetic? How did food consumption match individuals energy output?

5. Module design Create a diet that is healthy Students design an exercise program to match with their different diet scenarios Work with the glucosim model created by Dr. Cinar to show glucose levels in a healthy diet program Measure calories and carbohydrates of different food choices

6. Ethics Who is responsible for healthy food choices? Comparing the issue of Martin Spurlock in Super Size Me with the victims of the 2006 drought in Niger Advertising’s role in our food choices Our culture’s low activity levels and its influence on our youth.

7. Student Participation Students worked individually on the computer model and when journaling their meals. Group work when brainstorming about what is a healthy diet and when they developed a healthy diet. Hands-on activities comprised the enzyme activity lab and the exercise activity lab where students determined the number of calories burned.

8. Recommendations Introduction activity – gather breakfast data as an ice breaker to unit Simplify and streamline glucosim program Access student computer knowledge and enlist their help during the module Make the enzyme experiment more dramatic by using beef liver instead of the potato Include a carbohydrate and calorie question and the importance of exercise in the pre and post test

9. Modifications Add a lab with keys to “unlock” a box to simulate the lock and key mechanism of insulin for younger students Modify the glucosim computer program screens so it is more user friendly for younger children Printed pictures of food choices that students could cut and paste into the food pyramid Use nutritional computer games from pyramid kids/gov Make posters that show calories and carbohydrates for different food choices