Lesson Summary Students use a falling-cup device to investigate the time the elapses between a visual stimulus and a response.  They attempt to move their hand out of the way of a falling cup once they see it start to fall.  They then compare foot-response to hand-response time. Teacher Background Coordination is when parts work together to complete a task.  A stimulus is something the triggers (starts) a response.  A stimulus is often information received through the senses.  A response is a reaction of a living thing to a stimulus.  Movement starts when a nerve is excited.  Any of our senses can provide a stimulus for a response.  Several factors influence how quickly a person responds to a stimulus. Set-up/Management Tips Teacher should make a cup device ahead of time as a model for the students during the lesson. During the lesson, have a student volunteer help teacher model the activity. Discuss the meaning of drop distance with the students. Copy any journal sheets needed for this activity. Literacy Support Books Available Through VAST Mediagraphies: (see Literacy Links) Science Stories N/A Scientific Vocabulary The following words are key vocabulary words that will be introduced in this lesson and reinforced throughout the unit: coordination stimulus response   response time