Mississippi Science HAP.5.6
The Standard
- HAP.5
- Students will investigate the structures and functions of the muscular system, including the cause and effect of diseases and disorders.
Use technology to plan and conduct an investigation that demonstrates the physiology of muscle contraction, muscle fatigue, or muscle tone. Collect and analyze data to interpret results, then explain and communicate conclusions.
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Muscular System
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students plan and run a test of muscle fatigue using a phone timer. They count repeated clothespin pinches, graph the results in a spreadsheet, and explain what the pattern suggests.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student keeps the hand, trial length, and rest time the same across trials. They use their graph to describe any change in pinch count and explain how repeated contractions may affect muscle performance.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat one low count as proof of fatigue, even if the rest time or counting method changed. They may also think muscle fatigue has only one cause, such as lactic acid.
How to Assess It
- Give students pinch counts of 28, 23, and 18 from three 30-second trials. Ask them to describe the pattern, suggest an explanation, and name one condition to keep the same.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have pairs plan three 30-second clothespin trials in a spreadsheet, use a phone timer, and graph their pinch counts.
Show a graph of falling pinch counts and ask students to write one claim supported by the data and one other possible explanation.
Give pairs two trial tables with different rest times; have them choose which table better tests fatigue and explain why.
Show runners' lap times from a phone app and ask whether slower laps prove muscle fatigue or could have another cause.
Free download
Printable HAP.5.6 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to HAP.5.6, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- HAP.10.5
Plan and conduct an investigation to test the effects of various stimuli on heart rate and/or blood pressure. Construct graphs to analyze data and communicate c...
- P.2.6.1
Conduct a structured investigation to collect, represent, and analyze data from observations and measurements to demonstrate the effects of pushes and pulls wit...
- HAP.5.7
Research and analyze the causes and effects of various pathological conditions, (e.g., fibromyalgia, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, muscle cramps/strains, ...
- HAP.6.5
Enrichment: Plan and conduct an experiment to test reflex response rates under varying conditions. Using technology, construct graphs in order to analyze and in...
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson