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Exercise and Memory: A Science Project

Exercise and Memory: A Science Project

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Science Fair Project Description

It is known that students who exercise tend to achieve better academic results than those who are sedentary. Exercise can even improve your memory in the short term; that is, if you exercise shortly before an exam, you might be able to remember more information and get a better score. In this science project, by performing memory tests using everyday objects, you will examine whether exercise really helps you remember information. Those tests will be administered both before and after exercise.
Complexity level:5
Time required:1 hour required for set-up, 90 minutes required to collect data, 1 hour to analyze, cleanup and discuss.
Material availability:You will need to involve a group of participants of the same age. For example, you could have a classroom of students participate.
Safety concerns:You should exercise caution while performing the physical tasks to avoid injury.

Hypothesis

Students will have better memory performance after they perform various types of exercise.

Overview

Did you know that recent scientific studies show that kids who are physically active - those that play sports or run around during recess ? learn more in class? That's right, kids who are physically fit are more likely to remember information they learn while in school.

Interestingly, your size has very little to do with your academic achievement - it is really your fitness level that matters. That is, if you can run a mile, you might be better equipped to learn English or Math when compared to your classmate who cannot run a mile.

Today, we are going to apply some exercise science to test the hypothesis that active kids retain information more effectively than those who do not exercise. Even if you are not an athlete, you may be able to benefit from the effect that exercise has on your brain!

We will see whether students who exercise or read books are more likely to perform well in a memory test.

Scientific Terms

Exercise science, Memory

Materials

  • 40 small household objects (examples include pens, paperclips, toy cars, scissors, pads of paper, drink bottles)
  • Paper
  • Tablecloth
  • Storybooks (for half of the participants)
  • Timer
  • Table
  • 3 dodgeballs

Procedure

  1. Divide the participants into two teams: Exercise and Board Game.
  2. Assemble 20 household items on a table. Cover them with the tablecloth.
  3. Ask the teams to stand on either side of the table. Everyone should have paper and a pen or pencil.
    Does exercise improve memory;
  4. Remove the tablecloth covering the items. The participants get 45 seconds to memorize the items on the table. Do not write anything down yet!
  5. After the 60 seconds are up, the items are covered again.
  6. The participants get 2 minutes to write down as many items as they can remember from the table.
  7. Now, the teams will perform their separate tasks.
  8. Team exercise: Have the participants play dodgeball for 20 minutes. Team board game: read their books for 20 minutes.
  9. Teams should now return to the table.
  10. A new set of items will be placed beneath the tablecloth. Repeat steps 3 - 6.
  11. For each participant, compare the two scores.

Observations

Participant's name:

Exercise or Board Game?

TEST #1 (before exercise / games)

TEST #2 (after exercise / games)

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TOTAL remembered:

TOTAL remembered:

 

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References

PBS Kids. "Exercise & Memory by Jada and Maurna." http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/show/exercisememory.html

Related video

Hey there! Here are some awesome videos about this science project that we think you'll really like. They're not only super fun, but they'll also help you learn more about the science behind the project. So sit back, relax, and get ready to have some fun!!
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