Applied Science - Science and Math (5B)
Pre Lab 

   
OBJECTIVES:
  • Measuring objects.
  • Comparing body measurements.
VOCABULARY:
  • girth
  • linear
  • metric
MATERIALS:
  • ruler
  • tape measure

Students measure their body parts.

BACKGROUND:

Scientists measure many things and analyze and record the data.  In this exercise, students and their partners will make linear measurements on their bodies and graph the results.  Measurement can be in the English system and the metric system, depending on the type of rulers and tape measurers available.

PROCEDURE:

  1. Have students measure the parts of the body listed below and record the measurements.  Measuring their body parts helps students learn linear measurement.  Note that some of the items are more easily measured by a tape measure (ie. head size).  See if the students can figure out how to measure before giving them additional instructions.  After they obtain this data, have students predict which person has the largest and smallest before they look at the answer.  Determine who in the class has the largest and smallest of the items measured.
      
  2. Data obtained from the height measurement will be graphed along with the measurements of all the other students in class.  By analyzing the graphed data, students will quickly be able to determine the tallest and shortest heights.  Use different colors, one for girls' and one for boys' to more easily compare which group is the tallest or shortest.  Have student make a legend.
      
  3. Construct a bar graph comparing boys and girls.

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