National Science Foundation
Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Science of Snow
Physical science fans find out how supercooled water droplets in the clouds can become crystalline snowflakes. They learn about the categories of snowflakes (plates and columns) and the variables that determine their patterns...
National Science Foundation
Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Injury and Recovery
Synthetic scaffolding can be used to regenerate biological tissue, such as muscle, tendons, and ligaments. When perfected, this biotechnological feat will help many injured athletes recover more quickly. Dr.Cato Laurencin explains the...
National Science Foundation
Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Engineering Competition Suits
What a thrilling job for an engineer: designing advanced athletic competition suits! Which materials can most reduce friction and drag, and yet still be flexible enough to move with the athlete's body? With attention focused on Shani...
National Science Foundation
Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Physics of Slope-Style Skiing
Many mechanical phenomena are explained by a physics professor using Nick Goepper, a Winter Olympics 2014 slope-style skier, as the model. Beginning with kinetic and potential energy, the professor goes on to explain angular momentum and...
National Science Foundation
Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Science of Ice
Chemistry concepts come alive against the backdrop of the Sochi Olympic Winter Games! Here is a captivating clip to share with your chemistry kids. It teaches how the bonds in a water molecule contribute to the formation of a...
National Science Foundation
Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Alpine Skiing and Vibration Damping
Alpine skiers have engineers looking out for their safety and for their performance. Physics and materials engineers consider how to dampen the vibrations that can be caused by bumps in the snow, vibrations that can cause the athletes to...
National Science Foundation
Engineering the Half Pipe—Science of the Winter Olympic Games
There are no tricks here! Young scholars learn about the concept of centripetal acceleration by studying the design of the snowboarding half pipe. A video lesson describes how the half pipe design affects the motion of the boarders.
National Science Foundation
Slapshot Physics—Science of the Winter Olympics
Take a shot at explaining the physics of hockey! Olympic hockey players explain the science of their craft in a video lesson. The lesson includes a discussion of force and velocity as well as potential and kinetic energy.
National Science Foundation
Olympics Motion—Science of the Winter Olympics
What makes the elite athletes elite? Young scholars watch a thorough video lesson that describes the science of muscle movement. The narrator explores the physical requirements of different sports.
National Science Foundation
Suit Up—Science of the Winter Olympics
You are what you wear! Learn the complex design strategies that result in the competition clothing seen in the Olympics. Scientists consider the requirement of each sport, which typically results in resisting air drag.
National Science Foundation
Mathletes—Science of the Winter Olympics
Investigate the mathematics of the Olympics. A science video how mathematics is important from the basic level of calculating scores to the more complex math of describing the velocity of motion. Scholars learn to view Olympic...
National Science Foundation
Safety Gear—Science of the Winter Olympics
Safety first! A science video explores the design of safety helmets. It considers both elastic and inelastic collisions.
National Science Foundation
Science of Skates—Science of the Winter Olympics
Speed skaters, hockey players, and ice skaters each have skates created specifically for their sports—an interesting fact for your Olympic Games fans! An engaging lesson explores the engineering design of different types of ice...
National Science Foundation
Aerial Physics—Science of the Winter Olympics
Take a leap into the science of motion! An intriguing lesson explains how Newton's third law of motion allows skiers to turn in mid-air. The narrator gives learners skills to practice on their own.
National Science Foundation
Science of Skis—Science of the Winter Olympics
The materials used to produce skis have come a long way over the years. A short video explains how the materials in skis serve a specific purpose on the course. The lesson explores materials such as fiberglass and polymers.
National Science Foundation
Internal Athlete—Science of the Winter Olympics
Cross-country skiers are some of the most disciplined athletes in the world. Young scholars learn about the biology of endurance in an interesting video lesson that highlights athletes of current and past Olympics.
National Science Foundation
Air Lift—Science of the Winter Olympics
Up, up, and away! Young scholars learn how to apply physics to a successful ski jump. An interesting video lesson compares and contrasts drag and lift in the context of a ski jump.
National Science Foundation
Blade Runners—Science of the Winter Olympics
Race to learn the insight of Sir Isaac Newton. A helpful video uses speed skating to explain Newton's laws of motion. Force, acceleration, mass, and momentum all work together to make a successful speed skating race.
National Science Foundation
Snowboarding—Science of the Winter Olympics
The greatest challenge of snowboarding is maintaining balance. An engaging video using a simple demonstration of actual snowboarders to illustrate physics in action.
National Science Foundation
Downhill Science—Science of the Winter Olympics
Newton would have made a first-rate skier! A video lesson analyzes Newton's second law from a skiing perspective. The narrator explains how the force, mass, and acceleration can work together to create a winning run.
National Science Foundation
Banking on Speed—Science of the Winter Olympics
Get on the right track! Young scholars learn about the importance of momentum and friction during a bobsled ride. A video lesson speaks to a bobsled designer to explain how he considers the physics during the design process.
National Science Foundation
Science Friction—Science of the Winter Olympics
Physics plays a role in most sports, and curling is no exception! A video explains how a curling team controls the friction between the stone and the ice to modify its movement.
National Science Foundation
Science of NFL Football: Nutrition, Hydration and Health
How does what you eat compare to an NFL football player? The final video in a 10-part series explains the nutrition requirements at the extreme level of an NFL player. The instructor explains the key nutrients and their nutritional...
National Science Foundation
Science of NFL Football: Projectile Motion and Parabolas
Punt, pass, or kick your way to learning physics! An engaging lesson breaks down the mechanics of punting a football through an analysis of vectors. The ninth lesson of a video series explains the horizontal and vertical velocity...