Smoker’s Lung
A Smoking Simulation
Activity Summary:
This activity explores the effect smoking has on lungs through a class demonstration. The
activity simulates a lung as it is actively affected as an individual smokes. Afterwards, the class
discusses the results and their applicability to the real world.
This activity was created as a supplement to the PEER 6th grade curriculum module “The Jade
Dragon,” but can easily stand alone.
Subject:
Science: Science as Inquiry
Health: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Analyzing Influencing Factors on
Health, Advocating for Personal Family and Community Health
Grade Level:
Target Grade: 6
Upper Bound: 8
Lower Bound: 6
Time Required: 20-30 minutes
Activity Team/Group Size: entire class
Reusable Activity Cost Per Group [in dollars]: $4
Expendable Activity Cost Per Group [in dollars]: $1
Authors:
Undergraduate Fellow Name: Ekta Saheba
Date Submitted:
Date Last Edited: November 2, 2004
Parent Lesson Plan(s):
This activity was created as a supplement to the PEER 6th grade curriculum module “The Jade
Dragon,” but can easily stand alone.
Activity Plan:
The purpose of this project is to expose students to the effects of smoking. During the activity,
students will create an artificial lung, complete with an ‘alveoli’. Using real cigarettes, the lung
will be ‘pumped’ to simulate smoking and its effects will be clearly seen inside the artificial
lung. This project can lead to further discussion on how the experiment relates to the actual
human body, as well as other effects of smoking.
1. Place a large cotton ball inside a plastic juice bottle.
2. Seal the bottle with clay.
3. Poke the filter end of a cigarette through the clay so that it's inside the bottle, and
make sure to reseal the opening with the clay.
4. Light the other end of the cigarette -- the end that's sticking out of the bottle.
5. Slowly pump or squeeze the juice bottle half-a-dozen times to simulate a person
puffing on the cigarette.
6. Remove the cigarette from the clay and crush out the lit end.
7. Invite students to take a close look at the cotton ball.
Activity Closure/Expected Results:
Students should be able to see some residue accumulate on the cotton ball.
Learning Objectives:
6.3 (C) Represent the natural world using models and identify their limitations
6.1 (C) Compare immediate and long-term effects of health care choices
6.11 (D) Compare the risks and benefits of various health behaviors
Prerequisites for this Activity:
This demonstration should be used once basics about lungs, and/or smoking have been discussed
or covered in class.
Materials List:
All materials can be purchased at any grocery store.
Each group will need:
An empty plastic juice/water bottle
A large cotton ball
A piece of clay or play-doh
A match/lighter
A cigarette
Activity Extensions:
A class discussion can follow this activity – results can be discussed, as well as other effects of
smoking on the human body (stained teeth, bad breath, lung cancer, etc.)
Safety Issues:
Cigarettes are used in this demonstration and extreme care should be taken.
