Science: Pulse Rate Testing

... no equipment needed

Pulse testing and tracking is always a popular classroom activity. I particularly like this introductory work because it requires no equipment, allowing children to focus on the exercise itself. Finding the pulse on different people requires focus and experimentation.

You will notice that your pulse rate changes with the foods you eat. Frequently, your pulse will start racing when you eat something to which you are allergic. I include pesticides and toxins in the “allergic” description, though it is more akin to a warning light on an overloaded body.

Since I found a nice graphic at the clinic, I will give a shout out to them. Cleveland Clinic’s Functional Medicine department has a good reputation for a standard medical center, though I have not gone personally. Normally, I search for specialist alternative provider when I want a particular consult, but that can be a hard way to start.

Among all our Montessori parents, I have found that magnesium deficiency is the most common cause of a messed up pulse. So, try an Epsom salt bath to see if it helps. Your child can measure your pulse before and after as a separate project.

Children can experiment with making an Epsom salt (source of mg) solution, rubbing it onto their skin, diluting it with water if they feel uncomfortable, and then re-testing their pulses. All the salt and water makes it a very entertaining project.