Curated OER
The Physics of Sports: An 8th Grade Physical Science Project
Explore the relationship between sports and physics in a cross-curricular lesson. Middle and high schoolers prepare a multimedia presentation based on a chosen sport. They answer five physics vocabulary questions about how the laws of...
It's About Time
Defy Gravity
Test the limits of gravity while encouraging full class participation with this thrilling lesson. Pupils investigate the meaning of work and how it is equivalent to energy. They explore the joule and apply it as a unit of work. They...
Teach Engineering
Thirsty for Gold
In the last portion of the six-part unit, teams perform an experiment with gold nanoparticles to determine which sport drink has the most electrolytes. The nanoparticles are used as chemical sensors and fluoresce in different wavelengths...
It's About Time
The Mu of the Shoe
What is mu? Emerging scientists explore the coefficient of sliding friction, or mu, and apply its concepts as they complete activities in the interesting lesson. They measure the sliding friction between soles of their own athletic shoes...
It's About Time
Concentrating on Collisions
How important is momentum? Pupils investigate and apply the definition of momentum as they conduct analyses during a series of one-dimensional collisions. They infer the relative masses of two objects by carefully staging and predicting...
It's About Time
Slinkies and Waves
Slinkies® are a great tool for visualizing waves. Pupils work in groups to create both transverse and longitudinal waves before using a polarizer to analyze the ways they are able to travel.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Popping an Ollie: Skateboards and Physics
In this science fair project, investigate the effect of speed on the distance and height of the skateboard trick the "ollie". The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective, and...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Under Pressure: Ball Bouncing Dynamics
Many sports use a ball in some way or another. We throw them, dribble them, hit them, kick them, and they always bounce back. What makes a ball so bouncy? In this experiment you can investigate the effect of air pressure on ball bouncing.
Other
Ncaba: The Basic Science of Bowling Ball Physics
This site from the National Capital Area Bowling Association gives information on why it is vitally important that you understand the forces that create the reaction of your bowling ball as it travels down the lane.
Read Works
Read Works: How Soccer Can Help Us Understand Physics
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text explaining the physics behind soccer. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: You Are What You Eat!
Thinking about improving your sports performance? Want to help friends and family make the most of their physical fitness activities? One factor to consider is food. Whether you realize it or not, what you eat does change your body. It...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Power Kicks: The Physics of Martial Arts
If the discipline, precision, and power of martial arts is your bag, try this project out for size. You won't be sparring with any opponent other than a swinging kick bag, but you'll learn a few powerful lessons about the physics of...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies:brain Body Connection: Can Exercise Make Our Brains Work Better?
We all know physical exercise is important to keeping our bodies fit. But how important is physical exercise to your brain? In other words, is there any connection between an active body and increased brain power? This is an easy project...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Heart Health: How Does Heart Rate Change With Exercise?
Your heart starts beating before you are born and keeps right on going through your whole life. Over an average lifetime, the human heart beats more than 2.5 billion times. Keeping your heart healthy means eating right, not smoking, and...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Balancing Act: Finding Your Center of Gravity
Like to have the balance of a tightrope walker? Try the more close - to - the - ground balancing test in this easy experiment to learn a few trade secrets of the high wire experts. In this project, you'll find your center of gravity and...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Back and Forth to Go Forward: A Snake on Wheels?
Have you ever ridden on a Roller Racer or Plasma Car? These are ride-on toys that you move ahead by moving the steering mechanism back and forth. You've probably seen skateboarders "slaloming" on level ground to keep rolling, it's...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Do String Players Have Longer Left Fingers?
Physical activity is needed for maintaining normal bone strength and mass. But whether physical stress on finger bones during development leads to an increase in finger length, is something you will discover in this project not by...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Paintball Ballistics
In this science fair project, use a paintball gun to compare the calculated vs. the actual range of a projectile. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective, and introduction, followed...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Deep Knee Bends: Measuring Knee Stress With a Mechanical Model
Prosthetic limbs and artificial joints can help people with disease or injury lead a normal life. Sports medicine or physical therapy is also an area that relates to this experiment. Either way, this project serves as a good match if any...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Can Your Body Temperature Tell the Time of Day?
If you have ever had to adjust to a new time zone, you have noticed that it takes a while before you start to feel normal again. By shifting your sleep and activity schedule, you have altered the pattern of your body's circadian rhythms....
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Tee Time: How Fast Is Your Golf Swing?
Determine how golf club head velocity affects shot distance. Make your next trip to the driving range educational by conducting this experiment.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: How Fast Can You Shoot a Hockey Puck?
In this project, you'll need: a puck, a hockey stick, a tape measure, at least one helper with a stopwatch and an empty rink. Have your friend start the watch just as you make contact with the puck, and stop it when the puck hits the...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science of Cycling
Exceptionally well-designed site from Exploratorium, the museum of science, art, and human perception. Analyzes the physics of cycling associated with the use of gears, human-powered motion, braking and steering, and drafting.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Hey Gear Heads! The Physics of Bicycle Gear Ratios
Here's an abstract of a project from Science Buddies that asks you to experiment with bicycle gears and the circumference of the wheel to determine revolutions per minute.