Portfolio projectUniversitiesInteractive model · Engineering

Balance the beam

Slide the weight until both sides match.

Try it

Takes about 1 minute.

The problem

Students can apply the formula for moments but can't picture what it means.

Who it's for

First-year engineering and physics

Before and after

See how we make a difference

Before

As it usually is

  • A formula and a labeled diagram.
  • Practice questions with numbers only.
After

Redesigned

  1. Change 1: Students slide a weight along the beam.
  2. Change 2: The sums for each side update as they move.
  3. Change 3: The beam tips until it balances.
  1. Reason for change 1: The formula sits next to the beam, so the math and the physical result are linked.
  2. Reason for change 2: Overshooting shows what happens, not just what's wrong.
  3. Reason for change 3: Students reach the answer by testing, then see why it works.
How we'd build this for you

The formula next to the thing it describes

This activity is one example of a pattern that works in almost any subject. Here's how the same idea could look in yours.

  • ChemistryBalance an equation and watch the atoms on each side match.
  • AccountingPost journal entries and watch the balance sheet balance.
  • PhysicsChange a circuit's resistance and watch the current update.
  • ArchitectureMove columns and see where a floor starts to sag.
  • NutritionSwap foods and watch a day's nutrients add up.

We build it with your subject experts and your own examples, in your learning platform. Every piece works on phones, by keyboard and with screen readers.

Talk to us about your subject

Free to use

Use it in your teaching

Add this activity to your own course or training, free, with credit to ApexID.

Related projects

Portfolio projects made by ApexID to show the kinds of interactive learning we build. Not client projects.

Want something like this for your team? Book a free 30-minute call.

Book a free 30-minute call