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    Home » Primary Science » Key Stage 1 Science » Heart Rate Investigation

    Heart Rate Investigation

    July 24, 2013 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    The heart is a muscle which functions as a very powerful pump to transport blood around the body. It beats somewhere between 60 and 100 times a minute, but can beat even faster than that if needed. Nutrients and oxygen are transported to cells in the body and waste products taken away. The right side of the heart receives blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs, while the left side pumps from the lungs to the rest of the body.

    Just before each beat the heart fills with blood, it then contracts which squeezes the blood along.

    When we need more energy,  for example to run, the heart beats faster to pump more oxygen around the body. When your heart beats it sends a wave of pressure through all of your veins in your body. You can feel this pressure in some areas of the body (such as when a vein passes over a piece of bone). We call this your pulse. One place to feel your pulse is on your wrist in a straight line at the base of your thumb.

    If you count your pulse for 1 minute that gives you your pulse rate. You can do it for shorter periods but you must remember to then convert it to beats per minute. So if you time it for 30 seconds you would have to double your pulse count to get the number of beats per minute.

    When the heart beats faster, the pulse rate is higher.

    Heart Rate Investigation

    • A stopwatch
    • Pen/Paper

    How to set up a heart rate investigation

    • Record your pulse rate at rest, by counting pulse beats on the wrist for 1 minute.
    • Run around outside or do star jumps for 1 minute.
    • Immediately record pulse rate again
    • Rest for 1 minute.
    • Record pulse rate again.
    • How long does it take for pulse rate to return to the resting level?
    Children running in a field

    Helps child to understand.

    That the heart pumps to circulate blood around the body.

    The effect of exercise on pulse rate.

    For younger children, draw around them on a big sheet of paper and mark where the heart is.

    child lying on a big sheet of paper to learn about the heart

    More human body science for kids

    Did you know you can make a stethoscope with just a cardboard tube and tape?

    We love this DNA candy model!

    DNA Models - science for kids - candy DNA model

    Make a model of a heart or a model of a lung.

    Model of a lung made with a plastic bottle and balloon

    This digestion model for kids is also great fun!

    Digestion Model -poo

    Finally, how about a play dough model of the brain?

    If you like this type of science experiment you’ll love my book Gross Science which contains 60 icky experiments for kids!

    Gross Science Experiments - science book for kids
    Collection of human body science experiments for kids - make a heart model, a lung model, a model brain and more great experiments for learning about the body #scienceforkids #humanbodyscience #scienceexperiments

    Last Updated on January 29, 2021 by Emma Vanstone

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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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