Bowling Balls and Buckets
by Holly Duncan
February 11, 2008
Bowling is not just a game in Henrietta! Hitting the bucket is the goal and a perfect 100 is the reward for these students in Doug Underwood’s Physics class. Each year Mr. Underwood has his students construct a ramp and calculate the location where a bowling ball will land when launched from – the roof of the building! Each launch has students holding their breath to see if they have done their calculations correctly. Students prepare for the contest in the classroom by studying a computer simulation and through classroom discussion. They then move to the great outdoors where they get one chance to see if they get it right. On this day while some hit the bucket and some didn’t – all students and the teacher hit the target for learning. Fantastic physics in Region 9’s schools!
