The classic reaction speed test that will have your students gripped … literally!

Game Type: Revision

Recommended Ages: 6+

Number Of Players: Whole class

Equipment Required: Rulers (Ideally one per pair)

Where To Play: Indoor

Duration: 10 minutes

How To Play

Step One: Group your students into pairs. Make sure each pair has one ruler.

Step Two: One student holds the ruler by the tips of their fingers in front of them. HINT: Make sure the student holds the ruler at the end that reads 30cm (12 inches).

Step Three: The other student places their fingers at the base of the ruler, approximately 2cm apart and definitely not touching the ruler.

Step Four: Without warning, the student holding the ruler drops it. The other student must catch it as quickly as they can. Their reaction speed is the number where they caught the ruler.

Step Five: Repeat three times and then swap.

Variations

Real Cash: For a very bold tuning in activity, hold a five dollar note in the same fashion and see if anyone can catch it. To this day, I have never had a student catch it!

Suggested Revision Topics For Catcharuler

– Numeracy – Tables and graphs

– Science – Nervous system

Credits

Thank you to the science educator at Questacon in Canberra who taught me Catcharuler when I was eleven years old.

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