What's in a formula

This laboratory exercise encourages students to perform data collection, and learn how to use formulas at the same time. Students will design a cantilever object using tongue depressors. The tongue depressor will be a substitute for a physical 2x4 beam. They will then calculate the deflection of the beam when various weights are placed on it. They will collect the data; then they will enter into the give Equations (moment of inertia). This is a great example of how mathematical formulas are used in real world scientific experiment.

Extra credit: Excel can be used to do some basic graphing of data, and that data can be analyzed with a simple linear regression. Lesson includes a procedure for implementing (for the teacher), student handouts for implementing the lab, recording and analyzing data, and doing some post-lab writing, and teacher notes.
This lesson may be suitable for Science, Engineering, Immune Response; Math: Algebra,