Thumb Wars Lab
Name:
Date:
Research Question: _____________________________________________________________________
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Hypothesis (write an “if…then” statement: __________________________________________________
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Your measurements: Wrist: ______
Thumb circumference: ______ Thumb length: ______
Procedures: To play the game, a player hooks the four fingers of their right (or left) hand to the four
fingers of the other players right (or left) hand and clasps firmly. To start the game, both students say
“one, two, three, four, I declare a thumb war.” Both students try to trap, pin or capture the opponent’s
thumb for three seconds to win. Females will play females and males will play males. Students can
conduct only one thumb war per round. No cheating! Use of the index finger to sweep over the
opponent’s thumb is not allowed. Twisting the opponent’s arm or wrist to gain leverage is not allowed.
Use of the opposite hand is not allowed. When the thumb is pinned, the counting should be at the same
speed. Students should be careful not to apply too much pressure or force that might hurt the other
student’s hand.
Experiment and Analysis:
Independent variable: ______________________
Dependent variable: ______________________
Control group: none
Male winner: Wrist: ______
Thumb circumference: ______ Thumb length: ______
Female winner: Wrist: ______ Thumb circumference: ______ Thumb length: ______
Male average: Wrist: ______ Thumb circumference: ______ Thumb length: ______
Female average: Wrist: ______ Thumb circumference: ______ Thumb length: ______
Conclusion (consider your hypothesis’ correctness): ___________________________________________
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Create two bar graphs, one for the males and one for the females. Graph the wrist circumference,
thumb circumference and thumb length for the male winner, and for the male class averages for the
same. In the second graph, graph the wrist circumference, thumb circumference and thumb length for
the male winner, and for the male class averages for the same. In both, graph the measurements on the
Y-axis and the male, female and class averages on the X-axis.