Balancing act worksheet from the "Dishing Up Nutrition" series, designed to teach students about balanced diets and nutritional values through a hands-on activity.

It looks like you've uploaded an image of a science activity titled "A balancing act" from a resource called *SCHOOLS*, likely aimed at students. The task involves understanding balance, weight distribution, and using everyday materials to build a balanced structure.

Let’s go through the problem, instructions, and solution step by step based on the visible content.

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🔍 Background Knowledge

The text explains:
- A balance is a tool that compares weights.
- It has two pans and a central pivot (fulcrum).
- When both sides are equal in weight, it balances.
- This concept applies to real-life situations like seesaws or scales.

> Key idea: For a balance to work, the weight on each side must be equal, or the distances from the fulcrum must compensate for unequal weights (like in a lever system).

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🧪 Science Activity: Build a Balanced Structure

#### ✔ Objective:
Build a structure using the listed materials so that both ends are balanced when placed on a flat surface.

#### 🔧 Materials:
1. 20 plastic straws
2. 2 pipe cleaners
3. 2 Ping-pong balls
4. 2 paperclips
5. 1 piece of cardboard
6. 1 ruler
7. 1 pencil
8. 1 pair of scissors
9. 1 glue stick

> Note: The list seems incomplete or misaligned in your image—some items are repeated or unclear. But the main goal is to use these materials to create a balanced object.

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🛠️ Instructions (Inferred from typical such activities):

You are to:
1. Use the materials to construct a structure that balances on a single point (e.g., a straw standing upright).
2. The structure should have two arms or sides extending from a central pivot.
3. You can use straws as rods, pipe cleaners for joints, ping-pong balls as counterweights, etc.
4. Test balance by placing the structure on a flat surface and adjusting until it remains stable.

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💡 Solution Strategy

Here's how to solve this:

#### Step 1: Create a Fulcrum
- Cut a short piece of straw and stand it vertically on a flat surface (this acts as the pivot).
- Alternatively, use a pencil or ruler as a horizontal bar with a support underneath.

#### Step 2: Make Two Arms
- Use longer straws or pipe cleaners to make two arms extending from the center.
- Attach them symmetrically to ensure even length.

#### Step 3: Add Equal Weight
- Place one ping-pong ball on each end of the arm.
- Or attach equal numbers of paperclips to each side.
- Use glue or tape to secure them.

#### Step 4: Adjust for Balance
- If one side dips down → add more weight to the lighter side OR move the weight closer to the center.
- Remember: Weight × Distance = Torque
So if one side is heavier, place it closer to the center to balance.

#### Step 5: Stabilize
- Use cardboard as a base or platform.
- Add extra straws or pipe cleaners to reinforce the structure.

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✔ Example Balanced Design

Imagine:
- A ruler laid across a vertical straw (the fulcrum).
- On each end: a ping-pong ball glued to the edge.
- If both balls are identical and equally spaced, the system will balance.

Or:
- A cross-shaped structure made from straws, pivoting at the center.
- Each arm has 2 paperclips attached at the same distance → balanced.

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📌 Key Science Concept

This activity demonstrates principles of levers and equilibrium:
- Balanced forces mean no net torque.
- Torque = Force × Distance from pivot
- To balance:
\( \text{Weight}_\text{left} \times \text{Distance}_\text{left} = \text{Weight}_\text{right} \times \text{Distance}_\text{right} \)

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✔ Final Answer (What to Do)

To solve the problem:
> Use the materials to build a symmetrical structure with equal weight on both sides of a central pivot. Ensure the mass and distance from the fulcrum are balanced so the structure stays level.

For example:
- Build a seesaw-like model using a ruler as the beam and a straw as the fulcrum.
- Attach identical objects (like ping-pong balls) to each end.
- Adjust until it balances perfectly.

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🎯 Tips for Success

- Keep it simple first — test with just two equal weights.
- Use glue sparingly to avoid making parts too heavy.
- Experiment with different shapes and placements.
- Record what works!

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If you'd like, I can help sketch a diagram or suggest a specific design! Just let me know.