Physics of the Winter Olympics

1. Physics of the Winter Olympics MYIB Physics Project 2014

2. Project Specifications: Choosing a Sport • Select a Winter Olympic sport/event you are interested in and watch the event on TV, or online: • http://www.nbcolympics.com/olympics-live-extra-schedule • Make sure you can watch multiple iterations of the event. While watching, try to observe the sport as a physicist and a fan. • You can find a full list of Winter Olympic sports and events at the IOC website: • http://www.olympic.org/sports Adapted from a project by David Mower, Yorktown High School (Arlington, Va.):http://yhsscience.net/dmower/physics/force/olympics.doc

3. Project Specifications: Part I • Create a PowerPointpresentation showcasing your sport, including: • A cool intro slide identifying your sport, with a title and a nice graphic • A brief description of the sport: how it is played, basic rules, how it is scored, who competes in it • Useful metric data about your event: top speed, distance, records, etc. • Use of graphics throughout the presentation to assist in communicating information about your chosen sport

4. Project Specifications: Part I • Research where the sport is played and include: • A slide showing the country/countries in which the sport is the most popular • A slide showcasing the country that has had the most success in the sport or event • On each country slide, include a map showing the location of the country and discuss the history of the sport in that country (reasons for the sport’s popularity or that country’s success) • Keep in mind you are students in Year 5 of the IB Middle Years Program and this presentation represents a chance for you to incorporate both science and international mindedness into an original, creative project.

5. Project Specifications: Part I • Finally, include a slide with a link to a video showcasing the physics or science behind the sport, such as a video from one of the following sources: • Science of the Olympic Winter Games 2010 • Science and engineering of the Olympic Winter Games 2014 • New York Times Sochi Olympics interactive graphics • On this slide, state at least one physics principle or scientific principle from the video that relates to your sport. • You do not need to include a detailed analysis of the physics involved in the sport; you will turn in your own analysis when you complete Part II of the project later this quarter.

6. Online Project Submission Guidelines • Save or export your presentation in PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx) or PDF (.pdf) format (full page slides) with the filename LName_Part1.ppt (or .pptx/.pdf) • For example, I would save my project as: Shoaf_Part1.pptxor Shoaf_Part1.pdf • Attach the presentation to an email and send it to me at scottyg.shoaf@cms.k12.nc.us . • Part I of the project is due at 9 p.m. on Friday February 28, 2014 and must be submitted via email by that date/time to receive full credit.

7. The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well. Pierre de Coubertin Founder of the International Olympic Committee