Pulse Rate & Activity Lab

Looking for an engaging, data-driven lab that gets students moving and thinking? This Pulse Rate & Activity Lab is your new go-to for bringing the circulatory and respiratory systems to life—literally. Students measure their heart rate before and after exercise, analyze real-time feedback from their body, and explore how these systems work together to maintain homeostasis.

It’s hands-on, relevant, and surprisingly fun (yes, even for the non-athletes).

Why Teachers Love This Lab:

• Real-Time Feedback, Real Human Biology – Students become the test subjects as they collect data from their own bodies and analyze how heart and breathing rates respond to exertion.
• Systems Thinking in Motion – The lab highlights the partnership between the circulatory and respiratory systems, reinforcing concepts like oxygen delivery, carbon dioxide removal, and homeostatic regulation.
• Highly Engaging and Accessible – No fancy equipment needed—just a timer and your own pulse. Great for classrooms with limited resources and mixed student ability levels.
• Standards-Aligned and Ready to Go – Aligned to NGSS high school biology standards for body systems and homeostasis, this lab supports essential performance expectations.
• Built-In Differentiation – Includes scaffolded analysis, a CER writing task, and a class-wide graphing extension that challenges students at every level.
• Classroom-Tested and Student-Approved – Designed to minimize downtime and maximize participation, with suggested strategies to keep students on task during transitions.

What’s Included:

• Student Lab Packet – Includes pulse-taking instructions, data tables, analysis questions, and a scaffolded CER writing prompt.
• Teacher Guide & Answer Key – Includes pacing tips, sample responses, and differentiation ideas.
• Flexible Format – Can be completed in one class period with optional extensions for graphing and discussion.

Perfect For:

• NGSS Biology or Anatomy & Physiology Units
• Introduction to Human Body Systems
• Homeostasis and Feedback Loops Lessons
• Engaging Review Before a Systems Test
• Hands-On Activities That Require No Equipment

Pro Tip: Have students graph the class average pulse rate over time and compare group data. Challenge advanced learners to calculate percent increase from rest to peak heart rate, or compare recovery rates across different fitness levels. You can also turn the CER into a mini peer review writing activity!

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If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Thanks for visiting!
Jessica