High School Grade
Project
3 weeks
"Swing Science: Mini Golf Masters"
PSc.7.2
PSc.7.3
PSc.7.4
PSc.5.3
PSc.5.4
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Purpose
The purpose of this project is to engage high school students in a hands-on learning experience that integrates physics principles with creative design. Students will apply mathematical and computational thinking to explore concepts such as energy conservation, force, and motion by designing and testing mini golf holes. Additionally, students will investigate the human factors associated with a golf swing, examining muscle movements and the force applied. Through collaboration with community partners and real-world application, students will gain a deeper understanding of how theoretical models translate into practical outcomes, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Learning goals
Students will develop a deep understanding of the Law of Conservation of Energy by designing a mini golf hole, applying mathematical models to predict the ball's path and speed. They will explore the relationship between work, power, and energy transfer through hands-on experimentation. Students will also analyze the effects of forces, including friction, on the motion of the golf ball, utilizing Newton's Three Laws of Motion to construct explanations. Additionally, they will investigate the human factors associated with a golf swing, examining muscle movements and the force applied based on these actions. Through collaboration and real-world application, students will enhance their computational thinking and problem-solving skills.
Standards
- PSc.7.2 - Use mathematics and computational thinking to explain the Law of Conservation of Energy in a mechanical system in terms of kinetic and potential energy.
- PSc.7.3 - Use mathematics and computational thinking to explain work in terms of the relationship among the applied force to an object, the resulting displacement of the object, and the energy transferred to an object.
- PSc.7.4 - Construct an explanation to infer the relationship between work and power, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
- PSc.5.3 - Construct an explanation to infer the effects of forces (specifically applied force and friction) on objects.
- PSc.5.4 - Use models to explain the relationship between an object's motion and the interaction of forces acting on it according to Newton's Three Laws of Motion.
Products
Students will create a detailed blueprint of their mini golf hole, incorporating calculations and diagrams that illustrate the application of physics principles. They will build a physical prototype of their design using accessible materials, allowing them to test and refine their models. Additionally, students will investigate the human factors associated with a golf swing, analyzing muscle movements and the force applied. They will produce a presentation that includes a video demonstration of their prototype in action, highlighting the energy transformations and forces at play. These products will be showcased during the 'Putt and Learn' day, where students will also create educational materials to guide younger students through the concepts explored.
Launch
Begin the project with a 'Mini Golf Design Challenge' where students work in teams to build a basic mini golf hole prototype using everyday materials like cardboard, tape, and marbles. Integrate an investigation of the human factors in a golf swing by having students explore muscle movements and the force applied during a swing. Encourage experimentation with angles and surfaces to observe the effects of energy conservation and force on the ball's motion. This interactive activity lays the foundation for further exploration of physics principles and mathematical modeling, engaging students' curiosity and creativity from the start.
Exhibition
During the 'Putt and Learn' day, students will transform the school into a mini golf course with their designed holes. They will guide younger students through the course, demonstrating how energy conservation and forces influence the ball's motion. Additionally, students will investigate the human factors associated with a golf swing, exploring muscle movements and the force applied in these actions. This interactive experience will allow students to articulate their understanding of physics principles in an engaging, educational setting. The event will serve as both a learning opportunity and a celebration of their innovative designs and teamwork.
Plan
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Project Introduction and Essential Question Discussion - Introduce the project, discuss the essential questions, and outline the project's goals and timeline (15 min)
Mini Golf Design Challenge Kickoff - Begin with a hands-on 'Mini Golf Design Challenge' where students create a simple mini golf hole prototype using materials like cardboard and marbles to explore concepts of energy conservation and force (60 min)
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Physics in Mini Golf - Discuss the principles of kinetic and potential energy and the Law of Conservation of Energy, using examples from mini golf (30 min)
Prototype Iteration - Allow students to refine their mini golf prototype by applying learned energy principles, focusing on the interaction of forces and motion (45 min)
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Exploring Frictional Effects - Introduce different frictional effects and their impact on motion, asking students to incorporate a frictional challenge in their designs (30 min)
Design and Test - Students modify their prototype to include areas with varying friction, then test and record outcomes (45 min)
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Human Factors in Golf Swing Investigation - Conduct an investigation into the human factors of a golf swing, analyzing muscle movements and the force applied (30 min)
Reflection and Peer Feedback - Students present their prototypes to peers for feedback, focusing on energy use and force application (45 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Initial design sketches of mini golf holes incorporating physics principles and human factors analysis
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| Preparation |
1. Gather everyday materials for prototype building, such as cardboard, tape, and marbles
2. Prepare inclined planes and surface materials (e.g., sandpaper, felt) for friction experiments 3. Access to videos and diagrams illustrating the biomechanics of a golf swing 4. Coordinate with a local golf course for potential real-world testing opportunities 5. Set up a space for students to conduct experiments and document their findings |
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| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Energy Conservation Analysis - Explore how energy conservation impacts golf ball motion using mini golf examples, focusing on kinetic and potential energy (30 min)
Mathematical Modeling Workshop - Guide students to create mathematical models to predict the golf ball's path and speed using energy principles (45 min)
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Work and Power Relationship Exploration - Investigate the relationship between work, power, and energy transfer by analyzing golf ball motion through obstacles (30 min)
Hands-on Experimentation with Obstacles - Test mini golf prototypes with obstacles, measuring work done and power required for the ball to traverse courses (45 min)
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Forces and Motion Interactive Session - Examine forces, including friction, applied force, and their effects on golf ball motion through Newton's Laws (30 min)
Prototype Enhancement and Testing - Enhance mini golf prototypes to incorporate diverse force interactions and test effectiveness (45 min)
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Human Factors Analysis in Golf Swing - Analyze muscle movements and force applied during a golf swing, integrating findings into mini golf designs (30 min)
Peer Review and Iterative Design - Present enhanced designs for peer review, focusing on energy conservation, force application, and human factors (45 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Documentation of muscle movement analysis from golf swing videos, including calculated forces.
2. Annotated diagrams and calculations of energy transformations within the golf hole design. 3. Prototype testing report highlighting discrepancies between predicted and actual outcomes. |
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| Preparation |
1. Secure access to motion analysis apps and devices for analyzing golf swings.
2. Prepare computational tools and software for energy and force calculations. 3. Gather materials for prototyping, including cardboard, tape, marbles, and any additional components needed for design testing. 4. Coordinate with the local golf course for any additional resources or real-world testing opportunities. |
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| Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Final Prototype Refinement - Students finalize their mini golf hole prototypes, applying feedback from previous peer reviews to optimize energy conservation and force application (45 min)
Human Factors Integration Session - Students integrate findings from human factors analysis into their golf hole designs, focusing on swing mechanics and muscle movements (30 min)
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Community Partner Testing - Conduct field testing at a local golf course to compare theoretical models with real-world outcomes, focusing on energy conservation and force interaction (75 min)
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Presentation Preparation - Students prepare presentations to explain their mini golf hole designs, highlighting physics principles and mathematical models used (30 min)
Peer Review and Feedback - Present designs to peers for final feedback and refinement, emphasizing energy principles and human factors analysis (45 min)
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Exhibition Setup - Set up mini golf holes for 'Putt and Learn' day, ensuring educational materials are ready for younger students to engage with (45 min)
Exhibition Execution - Guide younger students through the mini golf course, teaching energy conservation and force principles in a hands-on learning experience (30 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Refined blueprint of the mini golf hole design with calculations and diagrams.
2. Final prototype of the mini golf hole with documented test results. 3. Presentation including video demonstration and physics concept explanation. 4. Educational materials for 'Putt and Learn' day to guide younger students. |
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| Preparation |
1. Ensure access to video analysis and motion capture software for human factors investigation.
2. Prepare materials for prototype testing, including measuring tools and data recording sheets. 3. Set up presentation equipment for video and slideshow displays. 4. Coordinate with the local golf course for potential outdoor testing or demonstrations. 5. Prepare signage and materials for 'Putt and Learn' day to ensure an engaging experience for younger students. |
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