Indiana Science HS-AP2-1

ScienceGrades 9–12Movement and Support, the Integumentary System

The Standard

Analyze the structural characteristics and functional importance of the integumentary system to maintain homeostasis of the body.

Indiana Academic Standards for Science (2023) · Movement and Support, the Integumentary System

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify the epidermis, dermis, sweat glands, blood vessels, and sensory receptors on a skin diagram. They explain how skin limits water loss, detects harm, and helps keep body temperature steady.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a hot-day scenario, a student explains how evaporating sweat and wider blood vessels in the dermis release heat. They explain why a damaged epidermis raises the risk of water loss and infection.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think sweat cools the body as soon as it appears, rather than when it evaporates. They may think the epidermis contains blood vessels or that skin only acts as a covering.
How to Assess It: On a skin diagram, label the epidermis, a sweat gland, and a blood vessel in the dermis. Explain how each helps the body on a hot day.

Lesson moves

Wrap wet and dry paper towels around two thermometers, fan both for three minutes, and compare temperatures to show evaporative cooling.
Draw a shallow scrape and a deep cut on a skin cross-section, then explain why only the deep cut bleeds.
Give pairs cards naming epidermis, sweat gland, blood vessel, and sensory receptor; have them match each card to its job during a hot walk.
Read a local heat advisory and have students explain why a roofer sweats, flushes, and needs water breaks.

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