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Body Lab 3-5 / Week 09 / Body Lab Day
6/6
Week 09 · Ears, Hearing and Balance

Body Lab Day

Body Lab Day: Balance Tests
// Good vibrations and a steady body
⏱ about 15 min

Body Lab Day: Balance Tests

Rocket stands on one foot with his arms out. "Easy!" he says. Then he closes his eyes and wobbles.

Raven laughs kindly. "What do you notice when your eyes are closed?"

Nova hovers close, ready to help. "Your balance team just lost one player," she says. "Which one?"

Rocket grins. "Let's test it with everyone!"

  1. Sound is made by vibrations.
  2. The pinna gathers sound. The eardrum and three tiny bones pass vibrations in.
  3. The cochlea turns vibrations into signals. The auditory nerve carries them to the brain.
  4. The semicircular canals help you balance.
  5. Balance also uses your eyes, muscles and touch sensors.
◇ BALANCE TESTS
Stand next to a wall on a soft rug or carpet.
Test 1: stand on one foot with your eyes open. A partner counts the seconds.
Stop at 30 seconds, or when your other foot touches down.
Test 2: try again with your eyes closed. The partner counts again.
Write both numbers in the table. Take turns.
Compare: was it easier with eyes open or closed?
Safety first
Stand within arm's reach of a wall or a sturdy chair.
Clear away toys and anything sharp from the floor.
A partner stays close to steady you.
Joining in is a choice. Anyone can be the counter instead.
For a grown-up
This is a fun test, not a score. Everyone's numbers will be different.
Ask: what did you notice? Why might closed eyes make it harder?
PlayerEyes open (seconds)Eyes closed (seconds)
Player A
Player B
BODY LAB CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
When you close your eyes, which balance helper stops sending signals?
Why was test 2 a good, fair test?
The fluid-filled balance tubes are the semicircular ____.
The smallest bone in the body is the ____.

What a sound week! Next week we explore skin, touch, smell and taste.

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