How to Make a Lung Cancer Model
Normal respiratory function includes inhalation and exhalation of air from the nose or mouth, down through the esophagus, through the bronchial tubes, and in and out of the lungs. Located directly below the lungs is the diaphragm, which contracts and relaxes to move air in and out of the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, lung cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Making a model of human lungs afflicted with the disease can be an effective way to show children and adults just how damaging lung cancer is.
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Things You'll Need
- Labeled diagram of human lungs
- 2 pounds red modeling clay
- 2 pounds of white modeling clay
- Large bunch of grapes
- 1 can white or blue spray paint
- 1 can black spray paint
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- 1 container of black craft beads
- Two handfuls wood ash
- 1 piece of flexible plastic tubing, 8 inches long and 1/2-inch in diameter
- Scissors
- White golf ball
- 1 mat board, 8-by-11 inches, any color
- Computer
- Printer
- Copy paper
- Push pins or straight pins
Instructions
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Lung Model
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1
Study a well-labeled diagram of the human lungs. Study how respiration works.
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2
Take 2 lb. of red modeling clay and 2 lb. of white modeling clay. Knead them together to make pink modeling clay.
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3
Purchase a large bunch of grapes, any variety. You can eat the grapes---just save the stems.
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4
Spray paint the grape stems a contrasting color, such as white or blue, and let them dry.
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5
Divide the modeling clay in half. Shape into two lungs. Flatten the top surface of the model lungs to look like a cross-section.
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6
Press the grape stems into each side of the model lungs. Glue into place with hot glue. The grape stems represent the bronchioles.
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7
Press in a cluster of black craft beads at each end of the grape stems where the grapes were attached. Glue into place. These represent the alveoli in a lung cancer patient.
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8
Rub wood ash all over the pink modeling clay on both sides. This represents the black tar and smoke residue in a lung cancer patient.
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9
Purchase or have on hand a piece of flexible plastic tubing about 1/2-inch in diameter and about 8 inches long. This can be a flexible drinking straw from a water bottle. Cut the tubing in half. Cut one piece in half again. Now there is a 4 inch tube and two 2 inch tubes. Spray-paint the pieces black.
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10
Bring the two lung halves together. Place the 4-inch piece of tubing in the middle between the two lung halves. Glue into place. This represents the trachea. Press the two 2-inch pieces of tubing into either side of the lungs. Start at the end of the "trachea" and lay each small tube at a 45-degree angle. Glue into place. These represent the main bronchi.
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11
Press a white golf ball near one of the bronchi. Glue into place. This represents a lung cancer tumor.
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12
Mount the model on mat board and label for presentation. Use copy paper and either push pins or straight pins to make and attach the labels.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider keeping one lung pink and healthy to contrast one that has lung cancer.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
