Winter Olympics Project Physics 1A

End Product

At the end of this project, each group of two shall have completed a 3-minute video explaining to the general public "the science behind the event" in such a manner that it could be shown on the evening news. Specific attention should be paid to how athletes use science to improve their performance.

The Video

The videos will be constructed in the Gunn Video Production Lab using iMovie, a digital video editing program. In order to make a complete video, the following "pieces" may be needed:

• "Live video" - from commercial broadcast & video shot by the group
• Stills - diagrams or stop action (we can capture single frames to use from a video)
• Video clips &/or stills from web sites
• Sound track - appropriate music to match tone of product - CD's are one source as are MP3 files (Mr. B has about 2 GB of copyright-free music which can be used)
• Voice-over - narration by group member(s)

Physics Requirements

• One major example of an applied physics concept must be included in the video
• A correct explanation of the concept must be included (remember: general public!)
• A model of how the concept is applied should be developed (either mathematical model or a physical model)
• A successful application of that concept should be shown (consider also showing an unsuccessful application)

Steps in Project

1. Select partner and event
2. Collect video from commercial broadcast
3. Research event on the Internet or using other sources
4. Develop treatment for video **
5. Develop storyboard for video **
6. Develop script for video **
7. Digitize pieces of commercial video
8. Convert video clips, size and format stills
9. Record own live video
10. Rough edit video pieces
11. Produce any drawings or diagrams needed
12. Final editing, including narration and sound track **

    ** = Grading points

Technologies Involved

• Digitizing video
• Scanning photos or diagrams
• Shooting video & digitizing
• Editing video
• Sizing and formatting stills

Possible Topics

• Freestyle Moguls
• X-Country Skiing
• Speed Skating
• Ice Hockey
• Figure Skating
• Ski Jumping
• Luge
• Downhill Skiing
• Short Track Skating
• Curling
• Freestyle Aerials
• Bobsled
• Slalom Skiing

  It is possible that more than one group in a class will work on the same event. In such cases, the groups will consult with one another and take different aspects of the event to feature.

Possible Physics Concepts

• Kinematics
• Newton's Laws
• Energy
• Momentum
• Rotation

Deadlines

• Treatment -- Feb. 4/5
• Storyboard -- Feb. 11/12
• Script -- Feb. 20
• Rough Edit -- Feb. 25/26
• Final Video -- Feb. 27/28 

Value of entire project = 120 points (or more)

Assessment of Final Project

A rubric has been developed and shared via the web page in advance of final project

The whole class will help assess final videos

Contact the Instructor:

Clarence Bakken, Gunn High School, Palo Alto, CA