From Inhaler to Lungs: What Happens When You Inhale Medicine?
This free teaching resource for children (age 6+) explores what really happens “from inhaler to lungs” when we breathe in medicine. Starting with a familiar feeling, blocked airways, it invites pupils to ask: what do our airways look like, what’s going on inside the body, and how does inhaled medicine help? A clear, engaging PowerPoint slide deck illustrates the respiratory system and shows how medicine particles travel through it, highlighting the surprising complexity of their journey to the lungs. Built-in questions and simple classroom activities, such as breathing in and feeling the lungs fill with air, encourage active participation. Simulation images and short videos make invisible processes visible. A one-page PDF introduces the key physical forces behind inhaler function, introducing the deeper science for older children and setting the stage for further exploration.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand links between biology, physics, and health science
- Understand the structure of the respiratory system
- Understand the links between airflow, particle size, gravity, and turbulence
- Understand the value of simulation in healthcare
Applicable Courses for Use
- Outreach
- Grades PreK-3 science
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Downloadable Content
- Read Me Facilitator’s Guide
- PowerPoint slides
- One page PDF for deeper scientific understanding