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Re: [Phys-l] Physics Day snow tubing



I've been taking my physics students up to the Mt. Baker Ski Area in
northwest Washington state since 1995. If you approach the ski area with a
planned curriculum, they often jump at the chance to help. In our case, the
area offers half price everything to the students...and I go free. It takes
the kids about 3 hours to do a good job of taking data, then they can
ski/board/showshoe the rest of the day.

If kids don't want to ski, they can come up and work the physics down by the
lodge, then kick back and do the calculations.

My general format for the program is: Monday, assign groups, explain the
tasks, have them figure out how the tasks must be done. Tuesday is spent on
the slopes, Wednesday, they have 1 hour 25 minutes to put together
individual reports on their tasks - I don't answer questions by that time,
as this is a culminating activity for mechanics.

If you email me off list, I'll be glad to send you a copy of the tasks.

Another contact is Jim Wiese c/o the Surry School district, just out of
Vancouver BC. I don't have his email, but might be able to find it at
school. He runs the same type of program for the greater Vancouver schools
up at Grouse Mountain. It's called the Science of Snow. He includes ice
skating, in addition to skiing and boarding.

Best Wishes
Don McQuarrie
Chemistry/Physics/Drama music director
Lynden HS
Lynden, WA

-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
[mailto:phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Dwight K.
Souder
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 12:34 PM
To: PHYS-L Maillist; PHYSHARE
Subject: [Phys-l] Physics Day snow tubing

Greetings everyone. It's been a while since been on here. I hope
everyone has a nice holiday season.

I was wondering if some of you could help me? Last year, I took my
niece and nephew snow tubing at our local ski area. During our tubing,
I realized that this could be a fun and educational experience for my
Physics students. In the years past, I've taken them to Cedar Point
Amusement Park for their Physics Day, but because we had several
experiences with bad weather and because of budget cuts, we stopped
going. This ski area is local, cheaper, and I figured the weather would
be more consistent than going in the early spring to a park. I
contacted the owner and manager with the idea of a Physics Day at their
ski area and they welcomed the idea.

What I'm wondering was if anyone has ever done this? If so, could
anyone provide me with any ideas, labs, or suggestions of how to make
this a successful experience? Any advice or material would be greatly
appreciated!

Thanks,
Dwight
Crestview HS
Ashland, OH
crvhs_dks@crestview-richland.k12.oh.us

Mr. Souder
Crestview High School

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