Give students a true inquiry experience: they build a simple pendulum, change only the string length, and use repeated timings to determine how the period changes with length.

The packet guides them from planning a fair test to organizing data, averaging, and graphing—then wrapping up with clear CER writing. A concise teacher guide explains the small-angle model and timing tips so setup is quick and confident.

What’s Included

• Teacher Guide: setup, safety, pacing, and background science (small-angle model, timing tips)
• Student Packet: step-by-step setup and blank data tables for trials
• Summary & Graphing Pages: average-by-length table and graph template (Average Period vs String Length) + printable graph paper
• Printable Aids: ≤15° angle card and length-measuring guide (pivot to bob center) for consistent setup
• Analysis & Model Answers: four prompts with sample data and exemplar CER responses showing the trend
• Rubric (simplified): design, data quality, graphing, CER, collaboration

Why Teachers Love It

• Engaging hands-on build with tight structure and clear accountability
• Real lab skills: fair tests, clean timing, meaningful graphs, and CER writing
• Easy materials (string, washers, protractor, stopwatch)
• Flexible pacing for a single period or a two-day investigation
  

Best For
Grades 6–10 general science or STEM; scientific method & variables; periodic motion; data analysis and graphing; performance tasks, stations, or sub-friendly plans.

Materials Needed: String; washers (constant mass); protractor or angle card (<15°); stopwatch; meter stick/tape; ring stand or doorway mount; tape; student handouts; pencils.

➡️ You can get this STEM as well as all my other ones in this series inside my STEM Investigations Growing Bundle. As more labs are added, the price will increase. CLICK HERE to have a look

I also have the following STEM Labs in My Store:

• Blow Cup Challenge STEM Lab
• Paper Table STEM Lab
• Pendulum STEM Lab
• Parachute STEM Lab
• Catapult STEM Lab
• Paper Airplane - Angle of Attack STEM Lab
• Bottle Flip STEM Lab
• Paper Helicopter STEM Lab
• Yeast Balloon STEM Lab
• Balloon Lift Design STEM Lab
• Candy Combustion Calorimetry STEM
• Marble Ramp: Height vs Average Speed STEM Lab
• Clean Water Filtration STEM Lab
• Beetle Genetics STEM Lab
• Adaptations by Design - Extreme Environments STEM Lab

NGSS Alignment

• MS-ETS1-1 Define criteria and constraints of a design problem
• MS-ETS1-2 Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process
• MS-ETS1-3 Analyze test data to compare and improve solutions
• MS-PS2-2 Plan and conduct an investigation showing how forces and mass affect motion
• Science & Engineering Practices: Planning & Carrying Out Investigations; Analyzing & Interpreting Data; Constructing Explanations; Engaging in Argument from Evidence