Curve Appeal: Baseballs in Flight
It has been said that two problems remain unsolved in twentieth century physics: (1) the construction of a fundamental theory of everything and (2) the quantitative description of a baseball in flight. Solving the question of ‘why balls curve’ is discussed by Professor Porter Johnson, an authoritative expert and theoretical physics professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Discover how basic principles of physics govern the dynamics of a baseball in flight and the behavior of various types of pitches. Try your own hand in the pitching cage.
Walk the Walk and Pitch the Pitch: Motion Analysis
Every person runs and walks differently. Capture your footprint to learn the basics of how you walk and how it may be related to your balance, sports performance and everyday living. In addition, see how the Motion Analysis Center at Children’s Memorial Hospital utilizes biomechanics technology to analyze pitching in conjunction with the Chicago White Sox Pitching Academy.
Lace Up Your Skates and Glide
Have you ever wondered why hockey players are able to skate on ice and not pavement? Or how about why ice is slippery in the first place? Professors from Harold Washington College will demonstrate what happens when the pressure of an ice skate is applied to a block of ice. Discover how just a little ice-melting pressure can lead to some terrific gliding and explore why you are unable to skate on other solids like dry ice. Meet Debi Thomas – Olympian in Figure Skating during the afternoon.
Tee It Up!
Have you ever wondered why a golf ball has dimples? The First Tee, PGA and National School Golf Program make golf fun. They discuss the aerodynamics of the shape of a golf ball and why it is cratered like the moon. Learn the principles of the golf swing – maybe you can become the next Tiger Woods!
The Way the Ball Bounces
Throw, drop, kick, dribble, or bounce a ball and you put that ball in motion by giving it energy. How that energy is used by the ball varies depending on what the ball is made of and how it is used. Facilitated by professors at Harold Washington College, see some surprising ball behavior as different balls are subject to a myriad of scientific tests. Meet Paul Moran – Paralympian in Sitting Volleyball & Wheelchair Tennis during the morning.
Light It Up! The Power in Your Drink
Experience how electrolytes break up into ions and conduct electricity. Learn how the chemical make-up of some drinks can even turn on a light bulb. Professors at Harold Washington College offer hands-on experiments with various fluids illustrating the importance of electrolytes during and after sport activities.
May the Force Be With You: Olympic Sport Technology
Experience emerging technologies including the accelerometer, K-Motion sensor and StroMotion done within the Dartfish program – all used by the United States Olympic Committee’s Performance Services Division. Jump off a force plate and measure the various parameters of your jump such as peak power, height and peak force by kilogram! Compete against other participants to see who scores the highest in each category and receive a customized printout of your results. Meet Lee Roy Murphy – Olympian in Boxing during the morning and Michial Foy - Olympian in Wrestling during the afternoon.
