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Swing Along with a Pendulum: Clocking a Second

Swing Along with a Pendulum: Clocking a Second

Students learn the properties of a pendulum and the forces at work as it swings. They apply problem-solving, engineering design, and trial and error to construct a pendulum that swings 60 times in a minute, marking one second with each swing.

Swing Along with a Pendulum: Clocking a Second is part of the STEM2D Student Activity Series. The content and layout were both developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center as part of Johnson & Johnson's WiSTEM2D initiative (Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing, and Design), using a template provided by FHI 360 and JA Worldwide. This series includes a suite of interactive and fun, hands-on activities for girls (and boys), ages 5-18, globally.