pendulums

Each band is on their own trek through Motion and today everyone was focused and excited to spend the day exploring gravity, pendulums, and potential energy.The day began with circle, check-ins, and daily writing practice.The Undead Goats worked with Josh to develop their Rube Goldberg machine and talk about the mathematics of physics.The Ssalson Raptors are exploring concepts of physics through their experiments with swings at the park. Today they spent most of the day at the park across the street from Live Oak School, and they ate lunch, did reflections, and did quiet reading out in this sunny January weather.They discussed potential energy in their bodies when standing at different levels of the bleachers and tried to determine if there was more potential energy in them if they were at the top of the steps.They experimented with pendulums, and each kid held their own swing at a different height. They timed the duration for a swing to leave and return to your hand. All kids except for one estimated that the higher swing would take more time to return than a lower swing. But, based on pendulum theory, the swings took the same amount of time to complete their arc. Chane asked why and Nicky said, "The higher one had more distance to travel but had more momentum, and the other was slower but had a shorter distance." Norabelle said, "If we hold them at different heights again then they will be the same again."Chane writes, "We tried to repeat the test with a body in the swing (which makes it not a pendulum anymore, unless one pulls their arms in). Zada predicted, "The heavier people will come back first." Our results were unclear when there were bodies in the swings because of the difficulty of holding a body and letting go at the same time." But there was still plenty of excitement about their experiences.The Flying Fish explored which materials weighed less using scales.During quiet time, reading became a kid-directed activity with everyone taking turns to read.And at the end of the day, Audrey showed off her trapeze skills.