Middle school students recently took their understanding of the circulatory system to the next level through an engaging Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Engineering activity that brought science and design together in a hands-on way.

As students learned about the heart and blood vessels in science class, they simultaneously applied those concepts in engineering by building working models of blood circulation. Using a creative combination of tubing, pumps, and one-way valves, student teams were challenged to replicate the heart’s pumping action within a closed-loop system. The goal was not just to build something that “worked,” but to design a system that accurately demonstrated how blood flows through the body.

Along the way, students explored how heart valves prevent backflow, how chambers contract to move blood, and how vessels carry it throughout the system. The project was structured as a series of design challenges that increased in complexity. Teams tested, revised, and improved their models as they worked to better simulate real-life circulation. This iterative process encouraged problem-solving, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of how the circulatory system functions as an interconnected system.

By combining engineering principles with life science concepts, students were able to see firsthand how structure and function are closely related in the human body. The activity not only reinforced classroom learning but also gave students the opportunity to think like engineers—designing, testing, and refining solutions.

Next, students will continue building on their knowledge of the circulatory system as they begin a new unit on blood typing in science class, further expanding their understanding of how blood works within the body.