In this lesson, students will use a simulation to observe and manipulate the factors that affect weight over time.

• Students will learn how food and exercise work together to determine weight loss, gain, or maintenance over time and that a balance is needed.
• Students will discover how their daily intake of calories from proteins, carbohydrates, and fats compares to the recommended daily allowance for middle school age.
• Students will learn that daily exercise will raise their basic metabolic rate (BMR), calories burned while at rest.

• Biometrics
• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Basic Metabolic Rate (BMR)
• carbohydrates (carbs)
• proteins
• fats
• nutrient
• percent body fat
• Calorie
• Four Food Groups
• lifestyle

Adapted from a PhET^TM simulation, this lesson involves students using TI-Nspire technology to simulate, observe, and manipulate the factors that affect weight over time.

As a result, students will:

• Reinforce understanding of the interaction between food intake and exercise on weight gain and how they can utilize tools to help them make good choices.
• Understand that maintaining an optimal weight is important to maintaining good health and that a balance is needed between eating and exercise.
• Recognize that they should follow expert recommendations for food and exercise types and amounts.