Good Stress

Source Institutions

NSBRI

In this activity about physical stress (page 28 of PDF), learners discover that muscles and bones need to work to stay strong. In part 1, learners investigate how physical stress can affect bone (a hard material) by bending plastic knives. In part 2, learners explore the effects of stress on the muscles in their hands by predicting and counting the number of times they can "click" a clothespin. Learners will conduct this experiment every other day for two weeks to discover that their muscles grow stronger with conditioning. This guide includes background information, extensions, and a data sheet.

Preparation Time:: 5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:: 1 to 4 weeks
Estimated Materials Cost:: $1 - $5 per group of students
Age Range:: Ages 6 - 11
Resource Types:: Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:: English

Materials List (per group of students)

overhead projector and screen
transparent plastic knives
clock with second hand or timer
spring-hinge clothespins
copies of "Stress This!" student sheet

Keywords

Subjects

Life Sciences
- Human Body
  - Skeleton
  - Muscles and Skin
  - Health and Nutrition
Mathematics
- Data Analysis and Probability
  - Data Analysis
  - Data Collection
  - Data Representation
- Measurement
  - Rate
- Reasoning and Proof
Physical Sciences
- Motion and Forces
  - Gravity
The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
  - Conducting Investigations
  - Gathering Data
  - Formulating Explanations
  - Communicating Results

Informal Categories

Physical Activity
Sports and Exercise

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

see
read
touch

Learning styles supported:

Involves teamwork and communication skills
Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

NSBRI Teaching Resources

Access Rights:

Free access

By:

Chang, Kimberly; Moreno, Nancy P.; Tharp, Barbara Z.; National Space Biomedical Research Institute

Rights:

Funding Source:

NASA, NCC9-58