I.
Title: Testing Psychokinesis – Swinging a Pendulum
Recommended Grade Level: 7-9
Subjects: Physical Science
Author(s): David Lau
School: Bowler School District

II.
Objective: To conduct and evaluate a lab activity which tests the legitimacy of psychokinesis.

Related State or National Science Education Standards:

A.8.3 Defend explanations and models by collecting and organizing evidence that supports them and critique explanations and models by collecting and organizing evidence that conflicts with them.
C.12.3 Evaluate the data collected during an investigation, critique the data-collection procedures and results, and suggest ways to make any needed improvements.
C.12.4 During investigations, choose the best data-collection procedures and materials available, use them competently, and calculate the degree of precision of the resulting data.


III.
Equipment or Materials Needed:
9” piece of string
One 1” metal washer
One ring stand
One 12” ruler
Timepiece (with seconds ability)
Data Sheet and Pencil (to be provided by students)

IV.
Procedure    
1) Tie metal washer to end of 9” string.
2) With both elbows placed on table and student seated, subject places end of string against forehead, head bowed,with metal washer dangling above table surface and ruler.
3) Partner times subject’s ability to place pendulum in motion solely through the use of psychokinesis (if possible). Student must not touch or physically influence motion of pendulum.
4) Should motion be detected, measure the overall distance washer has traveled. Record on Data Sheet both time and distance.
5) Repeat procedure to generate desired number of trials. (3 minimum)
6) Partners rotate roles and repeat experiment.
7) Once results have been determined, consider the need to modify variables to eliminate human error. (Hint: tie string with washer to ring stand to prevent subtle movements made by subject.)
8) Once completing modified procedure for each partner, generate a lab report including a data table of results. State problem, hypothesis, procedure for experiment, results of experiment and conclusion.

V.
Assessment: Students must demonstrate ability to follow the above procedure correctly, neatly presenting lab results in a written format. A Data Table must be included and easily interpreted.