When studying gravity it is critical that students understand more than just apples falling on Newton’s head. The study of gravity can be mind blowing for students because you get to introduce the concept of the fabric of space and time and time dilation! This simple piece of spandex can help students learn how massive object curve space and how time is also stretched along that curvature.
Students are given a 2×2 square foot piece of black spandex. They are to experiment with various spherical masses of different densities. One goal is to notice the distinct “inverse square law” where the curvature is much greater the closer you get to the massive object.