Iron and Ferritin

We see iron and structures created Photo of iron and ferritin test apparatus.from iron every day in our lives, but did you know that iron is also a vital nutrient that our bodies need? The same as we need oxygen to survive, we also need the iron that we get from foods we eat. In our bodies, iron is encapsulated in a protective shell called ferritin. Doctors can measure how much ferritin is in our blood to make sure we are healthy, but it is much more difficult to measure the iron directly. Knowing what we do about the magnetic properties of iron, what will you design to be able to collect and measure the iron in the blood stream?

Iron and Ferritin TEK8 Student Guide

The student handout will be given to all students working on the design
challenge. It gives a brief recap of the story, it helps the students identify what they are attempting to achieve, and it recaps the design process.

Iron and Ferritin TEK8 Instructor’s Guide

This Instructor’s Guide provides the instructor additional information on how to run the design challenge with alternatives for materials and test setups as well as information to help make the design challenge a good educational experience.

Telling the Story Video

The Telling the Story Video conveys the societal impact of the student’s research that is the basis for the design challenge and will set the problem-solving context for students.

Design Challenge Video

The Design Challenge Video leads students through the design process. It indicates materials available, states what the criteria are for success and any constraints. It also gives a second ‘level’ of the design challenge that allows ‘early completers’ to move on to a slightly more difficult challenge.