Cupid needs energetic helpers for his deliveries, but who has the stamina? It’s time to turn your students into the experiment to find out which activity really gets the blood pumping.
In this active investigation, your class will jump, dance, and measure their way to understanding the vital link between movement and the heart.
The "Pulse" Check Get them out of their seats and into the science.
- The Mystery: We know we breathe harder when we run, but what is our heart actually doing? And why does dancing specifically demand so much from our bodies?
- The Experiment: Students will test different movements from walking to jumping jacks to find the ultimate heart-raiser.
- The Science: It’s all about supply and demand. Students will discover that muscles are like engines: when they work harder, they demand more fuel (oxygen and glucose), forcing the heart to speed up delivery.
Curriculum Concepts You’ll Cover Get hearts racing and brains working with these key links:
- KS2 Animals Including Humans: The circulatory system and exercise.
- KS3 Gas Exchange: How exercise affects heart rate and breathing.
- KS4 Biology & PE: Aerobic respiration, cardiac output, and stroke volume.
Top tip
Teach pupils to find their pulse before the investigation day. The radial pulse (wrist) works well - place two fingers on the inside of the wrist, below the thumb. Never use the thumb as it has its own pulse!
Ready to Move? Skip the prep and get straight to the action. Download the full resource, including guidance on finding a pulse (no thumbs allowed!) and data collection sheets.
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