Strong Bones, Weak Bones

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Most people will break a bone in their body at some point in their life, but how much force does it take to break one? In this activity, learners will experiment with weight and discover how much force is needed to break a chicken bone. Step-by-step instructions are included with photos along with safety recommendations. Activity guide includes a "What's going on?" explanation and connections to relevant science concepts such the physical nature of bones, the function of calcium and collagen in bones, and exercise and bones.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$10 - $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 6 - adult
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • 1 or more cooked chicken bones-5cm or longer
  • 2 tables or desks of the same height
  • heavy string or thin rope, approximately 1m long
  • duct tape
  • bucket-approximately 12L (3 gallons) capacity or more
  • bathroom scale
  • heavy objects, such as rocks, bricks, or sand (instead of water)
  • stack of books
  • access to water (optional)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Human Body
      • Skeleton
      • Health and Nutrition
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
      • Gravity

Audience

Learning styles supported:

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

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Source Collection

  • DIY Science Apps

Rights:

  • , The Regents of the University of California, 2015

Funding Source:

  • National Institutes of Health Science Education Partnership Award, 5R25OD010543-02