Activities
While you may not fully understand just how much sports and science go together (or just how much fun this exhibit is) until you visit The Sports Challenge, consider the following list of activities within the exhibit a pre-game warm up (and don't miss the Virtual Sports Gallery activities listed toward the end of the page):
Jumbotron
Two giant jumbotron screens project live views of visitors in action from cameras located throughout the exhibit, including the blimp. Play director as you control the shot of which challenges you watch on the big screens.
Wider is Better -- The Balance Challenge
We're taking you surfing and you don't even need a bathing suit. Stand on a surfboard that simulates the experience of the pitching of a wave and understand how much of a role balance plays in surfing, first, by standing with your legs wide apart, then, by standing with your legs together.
And they're Off! -- The Reaction Time Challenge
Start your engines - when the lights on the "countdown tree" turn green, test your reaction time by hitting the gas pedal as quickly as possible, without being penalized for a false start. Plus, test your reaction time against a friend.
Flaming Fastballs -- The Pitching Challenge
Test your speed and see if you are ready for the big leagues as a radar gun measures how fast you can throw a baseball the length of 60-feet. Then see how much the size, shape, and weight of a ball makes a difference as you test your speed throwing a softball and water polo ball the same distance.
Get a Grip! -- The Climbing Challenge
Ready to go climb a wall? Learn how friction shapes the experience of a rock-climber as you climb along this authentic-feeling rock wall to see if you have what it takes to make it to the top.
Go Speed Racer! -- The Race Challenge
We're going to let you speed without the worry of getting a ticket. Understand the role of aerodynamics as you compare the speed of a standard wheelchair to a sleek, racing wheelchair.
Take a Leap -- The Leap Challenge
Slam Dunk! Measure the height of your vertical leap along with the hang time of your jump as you try to reach for the basketball target. Learn how you can use your arms as momentum to get more height out of your jump.
That's the Way the Ball Bounces -- The Bounce Challenge
Did you ever wonder why they don't play basketball on the sand? Dribble a basketball on courts of different materials, some that absorb more energy and some that absorb less energy, and you will soon know the answer to that question.
In for Spin -- The Pirouette Challenge
Experience the spin of a figure skater and get a feel for the physics of rotation when standing on a platform that is free to spin. First, spin with your arms out, then go for the gold as you pull your arms in to simulate an ice skater's pirouette.
Hit the Spot -- The Trajectory Challenge
The score is Love-Love as a tennis ball machine shoots balls at a constant speed toward your racquet. Learn about angles and trajectories as you try to get the ball to land on target.
Sideline Science -- Football Sideline
Think you're ready for the pros? See if you measure-up as you stand next to a life-size cast of a lineman. While you size-up the situation, be sure to check out the displays surrounding the lineman cast to learn how technology is used to detect injury.
The Sports Medicine Challenge -- Med Scanner
Learn how injuries can sideline an athlete as you use a "med scanner" to probe inside a model of an athlete to understand sports injuries and how to prevent them.
Sport Sizes -- Wall of Fame
Sports memorabilia, including Shaquille O'Neal's size 22 sneaker and Tara Lipinski's figure skating dress. Full size photos and displays show you the different heights, weights, arm spans and other sizes of famous athletes and their equipment.
It's Outta Here! -- The Swing Challenge
Take a swing at a virtual baseball to see if you can hit it out of the ballpark. You may be surprised that an accurate swing will have much better results than just swinging as hard as you can.
Virtual Reality Goalie -- The Soccer Challenge
The game is almost over and your team is ahead by one point, it is up to you to get in goal and see if you can save the game for your team as you become a virtual goalie and defend the net from virtual shots.
Go With the Flow -- The Drag Challenge
Go skiing without worrying about frostbite as you ski down this virtual slope to understand how the position of your body controls how fast or how slow you ski. Feel the need for speed? Then get your body in a streamlined position and the faster you will go.
It's In the Hole! -- The Golf Putting Challenge
FORE! Learn how you have to adjust your swing according to the slope of the surface you are playing on. Start by putting straight uphill into a virtual hole, then try shifting the tilt of the slope to see how the geometry of the putt changes.
Internet Station
Want to learn more about the science of the sports? Here, a computer station takes you to selected websites that explain both the science and entertainment of sports. Test you knowledge of different sports by taking a sports science quiz.