RPS GOVERNOR’S CAREER AND TECHNICAL
EDUCATION ACADEMY FOR STEM IN RICHMOND
STEM HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK OF January 2, 2017
Therapeutic Services
These Human Anatomy & Physiology students are concluding their
studies of the Skeleton System before moving on to the muscular
system. In addition to labeling the major bones found in the axial
and appendicular system, these students realized the importance of
the joints. Without these connectors for the bones, there would not
be any structure, form or protection for our vital organs. With the
exception of the hyoid bone, every bone in the body forms a joint
with at least one other bone.
Joints (articulations) hold bones together securely and give the
skeleton mobility. One of its most important functions
involves joint movements. The functionally classified joints are
the synarthroses, which are immovable, the amphiarthroses,
which are slightly moveable, and the diarthroses, which are
freely moveable joints.
There are numerous diseases and disorders of the skeletal
system that affect the joints specifically. Arthritis is defined as
an “inflammation of the joint.” Its characteristics include pain, swelling, and stiffness. A bunion results when
the bursa at the base of the big toe becomes inflamed. A dislocation occurs when the bones in a joint come
apart from each other and no longer in contact in the normal position. Osteoarthritis is arthritis caused by
bone and joint degeneration (specifically, the destruction of cartilage in the joint). The result is bone rubbing
against bone. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic arthritis characterized by swollen and stiff joints and, in
some cases, crippling deformities caused by changes in the cartilage. It is classified as an autoimmune disease.
Corticosteroids are hormones that the adrenal cortex produces and are effective in treating RA because of
their anti-inflammatory properties. A sprain is a “twisted” ankle or other joint. There is no break, and there is
no dislocation. There is, however, damage caused to the ligaments because they were over-stretched.
Subluxation is an unfinished dislocation where the bones remain in contact but the joint is misaligned.
In accordance with federal laws, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the policies of the School Board of the City of Richmond, the Richmond Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color,
age, religion, disabilities or national origin in the provision of employment and services. The Richmond Public Schools operates equal opportunity and affirmative action programs for students and staff. The Richmond
Public Schools is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The School Board also supports equal opportunities and treatment of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation. The Section 504 Coordinator is Ms.
Michelle Boyd, Richmond Public Schools, 301 North Ninth Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, (804) 780-7911. The ADA Coordinator is Mr. Thomas Kranz, 301 North Ninth Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, (804) 780-7100.
The Title IX Officer is Ms. Angela C. Lewis, Richmond Public Schools, 301 North Ninth Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804) 780-7716. The United States Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights may also be
contacted at P.O. Box 14620, Washington, DC 20044-4620, (202) 208-2545.
RPS GOVERNOR’S CAREER AND TECHNICAL
EDUCATION ACADEMY FOR STEM IN RICHMOND
STEM HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK OF January 2, 2017
PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING
Students in the engineering pathway that are currently enrolled in Principles of Engineering
are learning about Structural Properties and the formulas that are involved. Architects and
Engineers must look for better ways to build structures. Less material typically means that
structures will be lighter and less expensive. Knowing the moment of inertia for different
shapes is an important consideration for engineers as they strive to make designs lighter and
less expensive.
During this activity, students had to determine the weight of one of their classmates using
nothing more than a standard 2x4, 4 bricks, and a measuring device. This activity provided a
better understanding of Moment of Inertia and how it can be used to determine the strength
of beams.
Moment of Inertia
3
Ixx = bh
12
In accordance with federal laws, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the policies of the School Board of the City of Richmond, the Richmond Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color,
age, religion, disabilities or national origin in the provision of employment and services. The Richmond Public Schools operates equal opportunity and affirmative action programs for students and staff. The Richmond
Public Schools is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The School Board also supports equal opportunities and treatment of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation. The Section 504 Coordinator is Ms.
Michelle Boyd, Richmond Public Schools, 301 North Ninth Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, (804) 780-7911. The ADA Coordinator is Mr. Thomas Kranz, 301 North Ninth Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, (804) 780-7100.
The Title IX Officer is Ms. Angela C. Lewis, Richmond Public Schools, 301 North Ninth Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804) 780-7716. The United States Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights may also be
contacted at P.O. Box 14620, Washington, DC 20044-4620, (202) 208-2545.