Let’s crunch some bones!
Students test bone density using plastic snack bags, corn puff cereal and a heavy book. They apply the scientific method to determine degrees of bone loss and learn why healthy bones are important in space and on Earth.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Bag_of_Bones_Activity.html
Objective:
Following this activity, the student will be able to
- Identify the effects of decreased bone mass (osteoporosis)
- Describe why healthy bones are important in space and on Earth
National Science Standards:
- Unifying Concepts and Processes in Science
- Evidence, models, and explanation
- Change, constancy, and measurement
- Science as Inquiry
- Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
- Understanding about scientific inquiry
- Life Science
- Structure and function in living systems
- Diversity and adaptations of organisms
- Science in Perspective
- Personal health
- History and Nature of Science
- Nature of science
National Mathematics Standards:
- Mathematics as problem solving
- Mathematics as reasoning
- Mathematical connections
- Computation and estimation
Materials Needed:
- Corn puff cereal (approx. 4.5 oz. per group)
- Ziplock snack bags (6 5/8 inch x 3 ¼ inch) – 5 per group (larger bags holdtoo much cereal to count in a reasonable amount of time)
- Permanent markers for labeling bags
- Heavy books (one per group)
- Student Activity Guide (one per student)
- Broom and dustpan (for clean-up)
Time Required:
This activity may be spread out over a two- or three-day period. You maywish to use the first day for discussion and baggie preparation, and the second and third days for experimentation, data collection, and discussion.
