STEM activities are a great way to stimulate young minds and encourage them to learn more about the sciences. STEM combines science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in fun activities that are engaging and exciting for kids. These activities help children develop critical thinking skills for future jobs and real-life problems.
One exciting activity to perform with your kiddos at home during the summer breaks is exploring heart rates using STEM techniques. Heart rate is a fundamental indicator of health, reflecting how hard the heart is working to pump blood throughout the body. Understanding heart rates can introduce kids to basic biology and the importance of physical fitness. This activity will help children learn how to measure their heart rate, understand its significance, and see how it changes with physical activity.
So, let’s dive into this simple yet informative activity that promises a blend of fun and learning!
What is Heart Rate?
Heart rate is the number of times your heart beats every minute. This number varies depending on different factors such as:
- Age
- Fitness Level
- Physical Activity
- Heart Health (Genetic or Developed),
- Emotions
- Body Size,
- Medications, etc.
Knowing your heart rate helps you understand how well your heart is working and it is a great way for kids to learn about their bodies. For a STEM curriculum that involves activities like studying the heart rate through sports including but not limited to baseball, football and hockey, explore what STEM Sports® has to offer.
Getting the Kids Ready for the Activity
To kick off this activity with your kids, here are a few basic things you might need:
- A Stopwatch or Timer
- A Paper
- Some Pencils
- A Chart for Recording Heart Rates
Next, you need a comfortable and quiet space where you and the kids can focus without distractions. You can now go ahead and explain the kids what the activity is about and how it would be fun for everyone. It is important to set clear expectations so they can stay excited and engaged throughout the activity.
Moreover, you also need to set up some physical activities for the kids that suit their age groups. These activities can include sports such as baseball, soccer, hockey, etc. Or, you can ask them to ride bikes, race with each other, or play tag. Performing various physical activities will help them learn how each of them affects how fast their heart is beating.
Measuring Resting Heart Rate
Firstly, you need to begin by measuring the resting heart rate when the kids haven’t performed any significant physical activity. Here’s what to do:
- Have the kids sit quietly for a few minutes to ensure they are calm and breathing well.
- Using either the neck or the wrist, teach them how to feel the pulse and count beats.
- Using the stopwatch, count the number of beats in 30 seconds and then double it to get the beats per minute.
- With accuracy, write down the resting heart rate on the chart for each kid.
For reference, a normal resting heart rate for children ranges from 70 to 100 beats per minute, while for adults, it’s between 60 to 100 beats per minute.
Fun Physical Activities
Now it’s time to get moving! Choose fun and energetic activities like jumping jacks, soccer, football, hockey, biking, running in place, or dancing, etc. These activities should be age-appropriate to keep the kids engaged and safe so make sure you have a variety of activities planned.
Keep encouraging the kids to be active and enjoy themselves throughout the activity. The goal is to elevate their heart rates, making the STEM measurement more interesting. This blend of education and physical activity makes the learning process enjoyable and memorable.
Measuring Heart Rate After Activity
After the fun physical activities, it’s time to measure the heart rate again. Make sure to:
- Have the kids stop their activity and quickly sit down.
- Explain to your kids how to count the pulse on the wrist or neck with each beat.
- Using the stopwatch, count the number of beats in 30 seconds and double it to get the beats per minute.
- Record the number of heartbeats per minute on your chart next to the resting heart rate.
For reference, a normal exercise heart rate for children between the ages of 0-8 years ranges from 130 to 137 beats per minute.
Understanding the Results
Now that you have both resting and post-activity heart rates recorded, it’s time to understand the results.
- Show the kids how to calculate the difference between the two heart rates.
- Subtract the resting heart rate from the post-activity heart rate.
- This difference indicates how much their heart rate increased due to physical activity.
It is now time to discuss the results with the kids and explain what these changes mean. Explain that the heart rate increases during exercise because the body needs more oxygen. This discussion helps them connect physical activity with heart health, making the learning experience deeper and more meaningful.
In a Nutshell
Exploring heart rates through STEM activities is a fantastic way to combine fun, fitness, science, and learning. This activity helps kids understand how their bodies work and the importance of physical fitness and a healthy heart. By measuring and analyzing heart rates, they gain insights into their health while enjoying quality time with their mommies.
Moreover, using the STEM curriculum, kids learn that science is not just something they learn in school but can explore in everyday life. Encourage your kids to keep discovering, learning, and staying active. Good Luck!
