'Getting into the swing': Investigating pendulums by integrating science, mathematics and ICT

Abstract

Investigations in science classrooms are often undertaken with small groups of students working on a shared aim and collecting individual data sets. An alternative strategy is to allow students to pool data to produce a class set of results for analysis. Using Time as a context, we outline a class activity appropriate for students in Years 5-8 that allows them to design and investigate a series of 'fair tests' to answer the question: What variable influences the period of a pendulum? Incorporated in the activity is the opportunity for students to develop and practice skills in science, mathematics and information and communication technology (ICT).