Today we made balance scales using a cylinder shaped container (like a pencil pot or cardboard roll,) and a cardboard egg carton or small box. We then tested how to make it balance on the cylinder. Children discovered that the cardboard needs to be in the middle on the cylinder so that it will have the same about on each side to make it balanced. After they were able to balance their cardboard, they began exploring with various items to see what objects would weigh the same. There was lots of problem solving involved as the balance became unbalanced and children needed to work out what to add to make it balanced again.
