Students investigate heart rate on this 3-page 5th grade science worksheet. Page 1 shows how to find a pulse at the wrist or neck, count beats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. They record two trials for sitting quietly, walking for 1 minute, jumping jacks for 1 minute and resting for 2 minutes, then average each one. Page 2 has a bar graph frame scaled 0 to 160 and three questions. Page 3 gives sample data.
“Measure heart rate and find the average of two trials.”
The table on page 1 asks for two counts per activity and an average.
“Graph data on a bar graph with a given scale.”
Page 2 gives a 0 to 160 scale and asks for four bars.
“Explain why heart rate rises with exercise and how that helps muscles.”
Questions 3 and 4 on page 2 cover both.
Three steps for finding a pulse and turning beats in 15 seconds into beats per minute. Then a table with four activities and columns for Trial 1, Trial 2 and the average.
A bar graph with four labeled columns and a heart rate scale from 0 to 160 in steps of 20. Students shade each bar to its average. Three questions follow on why the heart beats faster during exercise, how that helps muscles, and what the resting data show.
Sample trial data with averages of 85, 105, 140 and 92 beats per minute, the bar heights against the scale, and sample answers to the three questions.
Practice the count first
Spend two minutes with the whole class finding a pulse before anyone is timed. Many students press too hard or use a thumb.
Partner timing
One student counts while the other times 15 seconds. Swapping roles halves the time and gives each trial a second pair of eyes.
Class graph
Collect the jumping jacks averages on the board and look at the spread. It leads into a short talk about why numbers differ between students.
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