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Showing 1 - 5 of 37 Project Ideas
Around the World: The Geometry of Shooting Baskets *
Around the World: The Geometry of Shooting Baskets
Difficulty
Time Required Very Short (≤ 1 day)

Take shots at a set distance from the basket, but systematically vary the angle to the backboard. For a basic project: How do you think your success rate will vary with angle? Draw a conclusion from your experimental results. A bar graph showing success rate at different angles can help to illustrate your conclusion. For a more advanced project: Use your knowledge of geometry and basketball to come up with a mathematical expression to… Read more
Bouncing Balls: Measure the Rebound Rating *
Bouncing Balls: Measure the Rebound Rating
Difficulty
Time Required Very Short (≤ 1 day)

The rebound rating is the ratio of the height the ball bounces to, divided by the height the ball was dropped from. Do background research on the physics of "elastic" and "inelastic" collisions. Lots of possible variations: explore how the rebound rating varies for different balls, different surfaces, different temperatures, punctured vs. not. (See: Gardner, 2000, Chapter 4; or, Goodstein, 1999, 9–12, 21, 28–31.) Read more
Drag Racing in the Water
Drag Racing in the Water
Difficulty
Time Required Short (2-5 days)
Prerequisites You need to be an excellent swimmer and have access to a swimming pool that is at least 25 meters in length. Do not perform this science fair project if you are not in good health. Get permission from your parents or guardians to do this science fair project.
Material Availability This science fair project requires access to a swimming pool during a time when it is not crowded.
Cost Low ($20 - $50)
Safety Minor injury is possible. This science fair project requires adult supervision in a special facility. Lifeguards must be available.

It's fun to go swimming! To feel the power of your body as you launch yourself into the water. But did you know that swimming isn't just about skill and athleticism? The human body consists of skin, contours, and curves. How the water moves along your body and the clothing you are wearing determines how fast you can go. In this science fair project, you will investigate the effects of a force called drag. You will compare the time it takes to… Read more
How Quickly Does a Tennis Ball Lose Its Bounce? *
How Quickly Does a Tennis Ball Lose Its Bounce?
Difficulty
Time Required Average (6-10 days)

The rebound rating is the ratio of the height the ball bounces to, divided by the height the ball was dropped from. Use the rebound rating to measure the bounciness of new tennis balls vs. balls that have been used for 10, 20, 50, and 100 games. Another idea to explore: does it matter what type of court the ball is used on? (See: Goodstein, 1999, 63–64.) Read more
Popping an Ollie: How Skateboarders + Physics = A Really Cool Trick
Popping an Ollie: How Skateboarders + Physics = A Really Cool Trick
Difficulty
Time Required Short (2-5 days)
Prerequisites You, or someone you know, must already own a skateboard and safety gear, and know how to skate to perform the ollie trick. You must also have access to a video camera (it should include a timer if you decide to try one of the variations). You should perform the tests in a skateboard park or in a large area where it is legal and safe to skateboard.
Material Availability Readily available
Cost Very Low (under $20)
Safety Injury is possible. Adult supervision is required. The person performing the ollie must wear a safety helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads.

Have you ever seen a skateboarder jump over an obstacle or slide down a railing? It looks like they are defying the laws of physics when they perform these tricks. It looks like it, but that's not the case. Physics describes the motion of objects and it is a skateboarder's best friend! All of these tricks can be explained by physics. In this sports science fair project, you will learn how speed affects "popping an ollie." The ollie is a basic… Read more
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