Olympics Unit

The students have just completed an Olympic Unit where they studied the science behind some of the winter Olympic sports. They are currently working on a proposal to coordinate a school Olympics for some of the younger kids. I love seeing their enthusiasm.

First, we studied the science behind ski jumping and reducing air resistance. The kids created their own marble ski ramps and explored the best height and angles to get the longest air time.

We then looked at aerodynamics and friction and explored bobsledding. The kids experimented whether straw or wood runners were faster on their own mini bobsleds.

Students designed their own "curling rocks" and we had a competition on our smooth tables. We learned about friction and surface area and we that slightly bumpy ice reduces the friction because there is less surface area to cause friction. Super smooth ice would cause a vacuum effect and slow the rocks.

Finally, we had our own biathlon. Students designed ping pong ball shooters as their guns and they raced around the classroom on laminated skis and tried to shoot the ball at a target. We learned about how cross country skiing produces the most fit athletes. We also learned about VO2 max and how oxygen is converted into energy for the muscles. 

Stay tuned to their plan for a mini-Olympics.