Sports Science Projects, Lessons, Activities (Page 5)

Hey Gear Heads! The Physics of Bicycle Gear Ratios

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

If you have a multi-speed bike, you know that you can make it easier or harder to pedal just by shifting gears. Ever wonder how that works? You can investigate this a number of ways. A basic approach is to use a selection of spools of thread (with different diameters), a board with two nails, and a rubber band. Place a spool over each nail, and put the rubber band over them. Mark the 12:00 position on each spool so that you can count revolutions. Turn one spool through a full circle and… Read more

How Fast Can You Shoot a Hockey Puck?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

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 boards. Measure the distance and divide by the time to get the speed of the puck. With two helpers and two stop watches, you can time the puck at center ice and at the far end. Are the speeds the same? How about if you don't follow through, but stop your stick as soon as it… Read more

How Fatigue Changes Balance

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Balance is one of the most important parts of how our bodies work. Even standing still requires the brain, muscles, eyes, and inner ears to coordinate perfectly. But what happens when you get tired—even just a little bit—from something like dancing, running, jumping in place, or doing step-ups for a short period of time? Many scientific studies show that fatigue—both mental and physical—can make balance worse. For example, after short bursts of physical activity, people… Read more

How Quickly Does a Tennis Ball Lose Its Bounce?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

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

How Shoe Tread Affects Traction

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever noticed that some shoes grip the ground better than others? The pattern and design of a shoe’s tread can affect how slippery it is on different surfaces. You can test shoes with different tread patterns—like flat, ridged, or patterned—to see which design provides the best grip. By dragging a shoe along a surface with a spring scale at a constant velocity, you can measure how much force is needed for each shoe to slide on various surfaces. With this knowledge, you… Read more

Jumping Distance

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Mike Powell of the United States currently holds the world record for the long jump at 8.95 meters, which is almost 30 feet! How did he jump so far? In this experiment, learn how a long jumper uses momentum from running to jump farther than the competition. Read more

Keeping Up

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Do you ever feel like you need to move your legs faster than your parents do just to keep up with them? This could be because of the difference in leg length between you and your parents. How many more steps do you need to take compared to your parents to walk down the block? Can you use a walking test to determine how tall a person is? This science project will help you find out! You can even use your phone and a sensor app to record the steps and determine the pace. Read more

Mini Golf Physics

STEM Activity

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Have you ever played mini golf? It might seem like just a game, but there is a lot of science behind it! Learn about the physics behind a rolling, bouncing mini golf ball and design your own mini golf course in this fun science activity. Read more

Physics of Vibrations

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Tennis racquets, baseball bats and golf clubs all vibrate when they hit the ball. You can often feel it in your hands, particularly if you "mis-hit" the ball. You can find the point(s) on your racquet, bat or club—called the "sweet spot"—that minimize unwanted vibrations. Low-tech method: hang the racquet or bat straight up and down with a string from its handle. Lightly hold the handle with your thumb and forefinger and have a helper sharply tap the bat, strings or club face… Read more

Popping an Ollie: How Skateboarders + Physics = A Really Cool Trick

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

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 skateboarding trick, and it's the first step to more… Read more

Sports Science Projects, Lessons, Activities (71 results)

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