Have you ever wondered why you don’t fall off a roller coaster when it goes upside down? Have you ever wondered how airplanes stay up in the sky despite being so heavy, or why you feel heavier in an elevator when it starts moving? Have you ever wondered why your shadow changes size throughout the day, or why the sky changes colors at sunrise and sunset? Have you ever wondered what makes a car speed up or slow down, or why a ball bounces back when you throw it on the ground?
If you have asked yourself or someone else these questions, you are not alone! Thanks to the curiosity of scientists, architects, artists, engineers, and others, we have a better understanding of how the world works–and it all comes down to one thing: physics.
We kicked off our exploration of physics on Monday with the introduction above, followed by a discussion about several different branches of physics and its relevance in everyday life. Of course, at TVS, merely talking about the wondrous world of physics isn’t enough–we must theorize, experiment, create, celebrate, and have fun!
On Monday, learners experimented with Newton’s laws of motion through a series of balloon races. They manipulated variables like volume, mass, and force, observing how each affected their balloon’s speed and distance traveled. On Tuesday, learners expanded their scientific understanding by building their vocabulary and learning fundamental physics formulas. These experiments and research activities set the stage for the adventure to come.
On Wednesday, we embarked on one of the most highly anticipated field trips in TVS history: iFLY Indoor Skydiving. When I say the learners screamed with excitement upon hearing about the surprise field trip, I mean they screamed. You could feel the electric mix of enthusiasm and nervous energy buzzing through the air. And you know what? Their joyful screams were completely justified. Speaking as a first-time flyer, I can confidently say that at iFLY, physics is magic. I did my fair share of exuberant screaming in the wind tunnel!
At iFLY, we spent the day immersed in physics. We participated in a lab activity, building, experimenting, and making predictions using differently shaped parachutes. We explored the physics behind the wind tunnel and discussed real-world applications. We also watched expert flyers manipulate their bodies to create exhilarating shows of flight mastery. Most thrillingly of all, zipped into flight suits and donning pointy goggles, we flew.
Reflecting on the experience, one learner shared, “The most interesting takeaway was how, if you move your hands just a little bit in a direction, you’ll completely move in that direction.” Another learner humorously concluded, “I did well and didn’t die. The smallest adjustments make the biggest differences.”
At the end of the experience, an iFLY instructor pulled out a tub filled with various objects and invited us to predict which items would fly up first in the wind tunnel. The items were thrown into the tunnel and, one by one, we watched them soar.
“The most interesting take away from the field trip was when they put all the different objects in the wind tunnel. Even if our hypothesis was wrong, it was still cool to realize our mistakes and learn from them, like which one we thought would fly first.”
-Adventure Learner
Over the next two weeks, Adventure learners will put their physics skills to the test. They’ll design, build, test, and finalize a protective structure that will safely deliver an egg from a high drop. The culmination of their efforts will be showcased at our “Eggshibition” at the end of the session. We hope to see you all there!
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