First, the 2nd graders tried to figure out how to balance a paper pencil with an arm holding onto the pencil. They quickly discovered that one has to use clothespins to give it the needed weight to balance.
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| The placement of the clothespins is so important. |
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| This pencil is balancing right on the tip. |
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| With both clothespins below the balancing point, the pencil balances the best. |
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| We can even balance the pencil on our fingers! |
Once everyone was able to balance the paper pencil....onto the next challenge, balancing a real pencil on its tip! Now, in addition to the two clothespins, everyone also had a malleable wire to use when trying to balance the pencil!
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| Where to put the clothespins...on the pencil? |
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| Where should the wire go? |
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| Will this work? |
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| Yes! The pencil is balancing on its tip! |
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| It's tricky to get the wire and the clothespins just right! |
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| Yay! |
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| I reminded the classes that balancing the paper pencil held a clue! |
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| So exciting to finally figure it out! |
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| Hard at work thinking about weight, counterweight and balance. |
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| Can it be done? Yes it can! |
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