The human torso model was crafted in reference to manikin models that are typically used to educate students in the health professions. The activity was designed to incorporate inexpensive alternative materials that are readily available and significantly more affordable than products typically used for medical education, yet still able to simulate the effects of these more expensive products. Students were then presented with their own stethoscopes and a cardboard human torso model ( see Figure 1). It was explained that depending on any underlying respiratory diseases, the normal sounds of the lungs may change. Students were first introduced to the importance of lung auscultation (listening to the lungs) as one of health providers’ tools for making diagnoses and clinical judgements. The lung sounds lesson plan aims to introduce students to different lung sounds, which are clinical indicators for different respiratory diseases, including lung cancer. The USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center has provided funding for the program’s curriculum development, student educators, and materials. Each semester, students are taught lessons based on overarching module topics. Our standard lesson plan format includes a general lesson to explain pertinent background information followed by a supplementary activity or experiment to effectively reinforce the concepts being taught.
![pneumonia lung sounds audio pneumonia lung sounds audio](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d5/90/76/d5907692994815c4cf6ed44477021d32.jpg)
Classes are facilitated at local public elementary schools by undergraduate students. The lesson plans and activities align with grades 3–5 NGSS standards however, they were implemented with students of grades 1–3 (see Online Resources for the complete module). In compliance with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), a cancer education curriculum was developed and implemented featuring lessons based in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts in relation to cancer. In the spring of 2018, a Cancer Education Initiative Program was launched through a partnership between the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, the USC Rossier School of Education, and the USC Dornsife School of Letters Arts and Sciences’ Joint Educational Project (JEP) ( Kast, Singh, and Kast 2018). The University of Southern California (USC) has several service learning programs that address disparities in science education within the neighboring Los Angeles community. Implemented through JEP’s Wonderkids Program, this Cancer Education Initiative Program is targeted toward first- through third-grade students from underrepresented minorities of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and aims to address students’ misconceptions and lack of knowledge regarding the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer provide preventive health promotion education so that students may make more healthy lifestyle choices, and foster students’ interests in STEM and health care fields. Due to the significance of lung cancer as a public health issue, we have developed a module on the topic of pulmonology-a medical specialty field that deals with disease processes involving the respiratory system-to (1) explain the basics of normal lung physiology, (2) explain the pathological changes associated with lung cancer and other lung diseases, (3) provide preventive education on the importance of tobacco abstinence and the damaging effects of tobacco smoking on the lungs, and (4) introduce students to some pulmonologic interventions. Lung cancer is significantly more prevalent among socioeconomically disadvantaged and minority populations.
![pneumonia lung sounds audio pneumonia lung sounds audio](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GMw6U1JiHIU/maxresdefault.jpg)
The etiologies of many different types of lung cancer can be linked to risk factors that can be prevented, such as chronic tobacco smoking. including both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer) is the second most common cancer diagnosis and is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States for both men and women. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer (i.e.