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Kansas City Curling Club
Science of Curling
Science of Curling
Curling has some unique properties that cannot be duplicated away from the rink.

When:If you have a group of kids interested in creating a project involving curling. Contact us and we will try to help.
Contact: Email us with your proposal. We curl on Sundays but we maybe able to help on a school day.

Check out the links to the right and see a number of projects done both in the classroom and on the rink by student.

"Excerpts for Dragon Fly Link to the Right"...
Experiments you can try.
  • * Find a smooth flat floor space in school, such as in the gym or cafeteria. Make "curling rocks" out of plastic food containers (like Tupperware). Attach a handle to the lid, like a curling rock has, so you can slide the container along the floor and give it a spin at the same time. Now, a curling rock that spins clockwise veers (or, curls) to the right; one that spins counterclockwise veers left. Do these containers curl just like curling rocks on ice?
  • * Try an experiment with another object that spins... a flying disc. Most of us throw with our right hand, which gives the disc a clockwise spin. Try to find a way to throw it so it spins counterclockwise. What differences do you see in the disc's flight? Does it tend to veer one way or the other, depending on the spin? Is there no difference at all?
How Curling Stones are Made

Created:8/12/04 I Last Edited: 4/30/05 Suggestions/Comments
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Outside Links
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Science Links
Dragon Fly TV - Curling Matter and Motion. A simple look into the sliding properties of a curling rock.
Discovery Channel1. Why a curling stone curls
2. A controversial look?
Why a Rock CurlsScience Daly looks into the improbable nature of why a curling stone curls the way it does.
Graphic Description Animated by David M Harrison, See Why a rock Curls
Physics of CurlingA scientific look into the improbable nature of why a curling stone curls the way it does.
Future of CurlingThis young high school physics student has taken a serious look at what changes would need to be taken if the sport was played on the moon.
Summer Curling?Do you get this joke?
Why a curling Stone Curls?Technical Paper by David D. Babcock.
History Links
Curling's OriginsCurling has a 400 year history, See Present day Photos of what it might have been like to curl back then. Can you image what would be different?
History - A Scottish Sport?A historical look at curling by the Dumfries and Galloway Museums and Galleries Online.
Turner Curling Museum
Good Ice - Making & Maintaining
Scottish Curing Ice Group (SCIG)A group of Ice Technicians who study making better ice. Check out the reports link.
In the hacks - Ice Makers ForumQuestions put to curling ice technicians.
Canadian Curling Assoications Info Making good curling ice on Hockey rinks.
Canadian Curling Assoications Info Making curling ice.