Science of Curling

When:If you have a group of kids interested in creating a project involving curling. Contact us and we will try to help.
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your proposal. We curl on Sundays but we may be 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 students.

• * 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?