Oliman 1

Rakel Oliman

Mrs. Stevens

Life Science

31 January 2018

How Does Different Body Positions Affect Math Test Scores?

Have you ever felt ancy during a test or maybe needed to stretch your legs? Well, I get

that a lot during a test. That how I can to the idea of my science experiment. The math teacher

here at CVCS has chalkboards and for most students, it helps to looks at math problems from a

different angle. I hypothesis that,​ if students take three similar math tests, one while sitting, one

while lying down, and one while standing, then students will have the highest score on the

standing test​.

How Does Your Position Affect Blood Flow?

Sometimes when you sit or lay down in different positions your blood flow can’t properly

get to where it needs to go. With blood flow not being able to get to your limbs properly it can

result in numb arms, legs, feet, etc (Domonell). Sometimes it is the opposite that can happen and

too much blood can be delivered to certain parts of your body, like your hands. However, this

can only happen after a long period of time. Standing up takes more of your energy than sitting

down (Klabunde).

Are Certain Body Positions Known To Affect Your Emotional State?

There are different kinds of positions or poses that can affect your emotional state after

you do them for a period of time. The first kinds of poses are called “power” poses and the

second kinds of poses are called “weak” poses. People who stood in “power” poses for a certain
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amount of time each day said that they felt more “in charge” and powerful.​ ​This experiment

showed that being in this different positions raise levels of testosterone and decreased levels of

stress hormone. The people who stood in weak poses said they felt depressed and weak.

(Oxenham).

Why Is Sitting In Desks Use In Schools?

Collages in early times, that were mostly inhabited by males, didn’t have the order we

have now. John Loughlin was the inventor of the school desk. It was invented in Ohio in 1880.

The desks were made so that they attached to others in a column like manoir (Furnishing). This

created order and efficiency in the classrooms (Intern). Today we have more modern desks that

schools are using (Furnishing).

What Part of Your Brain Is Used When Doing Math?

We all use eight different parts of our brain when doing math. V1, or visual cortices, is

used when writing digits. The parietal cortices are used when understand quantities. The

temporal cortex is put into work when solving word problems. The front parts are used with

mathematical reasoning. Almost your whole brain is put into work when to comes to math

(Vale).

What Is Free Seating and Why Is It Used In Schools?

Free seating is a concept of not just having school desks in the classroom, but more

comfortable things to sit on. This may include beanbags, rocking chairs, and allowing students to

sit on the floor. Studies have shown that this method has worked to improve academic studies. It

burns calories, uses up extra energy, helps the metabolism, and boosts motivation and
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engagement (Delzer). It helps with the kids’ posture and core strength. The level of focus

increased in the students and restlessness levels were little to none. This way of sitting is also fun

and enjoyable (Drobnjak).

What Factors Affect Test Scores?

Lighting, room arrangement, temperature, and outside sounds can all affect test scores.

Headaches and low levels of contention can be caused by regular​ ​fluorescent lights. Close

seating arrangements are know to be a distraction. Noise from outside such as cars,

announcements, and people coming in and out of the classroom can also cause students to lose

focus. If the classroom is too hot or too cold, the students’ attention levels will drop (Linde).

I hypothesized that, ​if students take three similar math tests, one while sitting, one while

lying down, and one while standing, then students will have the highest score on the standing

test​. In this experiment I had ten students take a test in the three positions listed above. The

scores varied in each category. The results gave me an average of of 100% in the sitting position,

80% in the standing position and 80% in the laying down position. With these scores I think that

the sitting down position is favored for students’ minds. Therefore I hypothesis was not proven

true by your experiment.

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Works Cited

Delzer, Kayla. “Flexible Seating and Student-Centered Classroom Redesign.” Edutopia, George

Lucas Educational Foundation, 22 Apr. 2016,

www.edutopia.org/blog/flexible-seating-student-centered-classroom-kayla-delzer​.

Domonell, by Kristen. “Is Your Sleeping Position All Wrong?” Life by Daily Burn, Daily Burn,

Inc, 14 July 2016, dailyburn.com/life/lifestyle/best-sleep-positions/.

Drobnjak, Lauren, et al. “Alternative Seating for the Classroom.” The Inspired Treehouse, THE

INSPIRED TREEHOUSE, 7 Sept. 2017,

theinspiredtreehouse.com/alternative-seating-classroom/.

Furnishings, school. “History of the Desk.”School Furnishings RSS, School Furnishings, 2017,

www.schoolfurnishings.com/history-of-the-desk-2/.

Intern Alexandra Parker, July 1, 2013. “Students, Stay in Your Seats: Improving 19th Century

School Desks.” National Museum of American History, National Museum of American

History, 11 Sept. 2016,

americanhistory.si.edu/blog/2013/07/students-stay-in-your-seats-improving-19th-century-

school-desks.html.

Klabunde, Richard E. “Effects of Gravity on Venous Return.” Image for Cardiovascular

Physiology Concepts, Richard E Klabunde PhD, Richard E. Klabunde, 1998,

www.cvphysiology.com/Cardiac%20Function/CF017​.

Linde, Sharon. “Environmental Factors Impacting Student Test Performance.” Study.com,

Study.com, 2003,
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study.com/academy/lesson/environmental-factors-impacting-student-test-performance.html.

Oxenham, Simon. “How Your Body Language Alters Your State of Mind.” Big Think, The Big

Think, Inc, 5 Nov. 2014,

bigthink.com/neurobonkers/how-your-body-language-alters-your-state-of-mind.