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Pendulum: The Teacher as Facilitator
While this experiment does not arise from an everyday problem, ask the students
to think of other ways pendulums are used--perhaps a tire swing, a wrecking ball,
or a circus trapeze. How would the experiment's results influence the design of
those pendulums?
This activity is designed to ensure active participation by all the students.
Switch partners to let each person swing, count, and report.
Allow the groups time to discuss such questions as the role of string lengths,
how far back to pull the washer, and cutting the additional string. Differences
that emerge during the reporting period can be used as discussion points about
data collection (How accurate must data be to assure usable results? If we count
the swings differently, can we compare the counts?) and the collaborative nature
of scientific investigation.
Assessment is built into this activity through teacher questions and student
discussions. Predictions and conjectures challenge students to consider
additional possibilities or aspects of a situation while analyzing given
information and reconsidering its implications.
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