We have explored balance by making tops and balancing yard sticks on our fingers. Now we are going to learn about center of gravity by making a beautiful butterfly
Fold a piece of paper in half and draw half a butterfly on one side. Cut out your butterfly, so that it is symmetric. Trace the butterfly onto a piece of cardboard.
After you cut out the butterfly try to balance it on the eraser side of a pencil. The butterfly’s center of gravity is the point where it can balance on the pencil. Next, tape one or two pennies onto each of the wings near the top.
Find the center of gravity again using the pencil. How did the weight change the center of gravity?
This is a great experiment that allows kids to use a butterfly of their own imagination to learn about center of gravity! We just posted neat templates for making Bat and Bird versions here: http://scurrytails.wordpress.com/2012/05/25/you-can-make-this-awesome-bat-center-of-gravity-wing/