Model Elbow Joint

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Model an elbow joint to illustrate how biceps and triceps muscles work together. Connect bones with a sturdy brass fastener and join holes with flexible elastic thread, rubber bands, or ordinary string to simulate the contraction of biceps and triceps muscles. This model is designed for use in a 6th grade science unit to demonstrate how muscles pull when they contract, revealing their role in bending and unbending the elbow. The pairing of muscles enables effective movement at joints. To further illustrate this concept, consider removing skin from a raw chicken wing obtained from a grocery store, exposing the underlying biceps and triceps muscles. By pulling on these muscles, students can see firsthand how they move bones within the joint.