He 2024 Olympic Games They will be held in Paris, France for the first time in over 100 years! Olympic sports include athletics, team sports, climbing, surfing, swimming, tennis, skateboarding and even breakdancing.
The Olympics are always fun to watch, and the sport is packed with fascinating science, from the importance of aerodynamics and the forces of motion to the all-important nutrition and physical activity.
He Summer Sports 2024 It's a great time to explore sports science with demonstrations, scientific investigations, and STEM projects.
Olympic-themed science activities for kids
Climbing wall with magnets
Question: Is it possible to build a mini climbing wall with a pulley system?
Climbing was a new addition to the 2020 Olympics! Learn about the sport by building a mini climbing wall. Our climber works with magnets and a mini pulley system.
The best surface for running
Question: Does the type of terrain influence the speed at which you can run?
Record how long it takes you to run 25 meters (or any other distance) on flat terrain, grass and sand (if possible).
You'll probably notice that you run slower on a softer surface. Grass and sand sink when your feet come into contact, meaning it takes more time and strength to lift your leg back up.
Some athletes train on sand because it is more challenging to joints, muscles and tendons than a harder surface.
Javelin throw
Question: Can a longer javelin be thrown farther than a shorter one?
Make paper javelins and throw them to investigate how Different factors affect the flight of a javelin.
Shot Put Skills
Question: Can you throw a heavier ball farther than a lighter one?
Perfect shot put technique with different balls. Some will be easier to throw than others.
STEM Challenge: Catapult a basketball into a hoop
We created a miniature basketball hoop and then attempted to catapult a ping point ball through the hoop. It may look easy, but it was very complicated and led to many conversations about force and trajectory.
Mini trampolines for jumping
Question: Does a marble jump further if it is dropped onto a mini trampoline from a greater height?
Cover a paper or plastic cup with balloon skin to make a mini trampoline.
Throw small pom-poms from different heights to see if they bounce higher when dropped from a greater height.
Another idea is to research different trampoline surfaces to find out which one offers the best bounce.
The best temperature for a soccer ball
Question: Does temperature affect the bounce of a ball?
Place a soccer ball in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. Test to see if it bounces. Allow the ball to warm up and test again.
Higher temperatures create higher air pressure, because when the air is hot, the gas molecules have more energy and move further apart, which increases the pressure inside the balloon.
At a lower temperature, the gas molecules move closer together and move more slowly. This reduces the pressure inside the ball and decreases the bounce.
Bouncing balls
Question: Does the shape affect the bounce of the ball?
Discover Which balls bounce better? with a simple scientific activity using balls of different shapes and sizes.
Test reaction time
Reaction time is the time it takes a person to respond to a stimulus. You can Test your reaction time using a ruler.
More Olympic-themed science activities for kids
Discover How exercise affects heart rate measuring heart rate before and after exercise.
Playtivities has some brilliant ideas to make your own Summer Olympics in the garden.
Design a relay baton, thinking about how you can make it less likely to fall out of the runner's hands.
Do your thing Popsicle stick surfboard Driven by surface tension.
JDaniel4's mom has a brilliant Olympic flame activity with static electricity.
Can you think of any other Olympic-themed science activities for us?
Last updated on July 22, 2024 by Emma Vanstone
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