About the Course
Ever wondered how a baseball curves mid-pitch or why an ice skater spins faster by pulling in their arms? Curious about how LeBron James makes those incredible slam dunks and precise three-pointers? Physics is the key to unlocking these and other intriguing sports phenomena. In this course, we'll delve into the mechanics of sports, exploring concepts such as kinematics, dynamics, momentum, energy, and power. Through hands-on activities and experiments, we'll engage in lectures, labs, and simulations to uncover the real-world applications of physics in sports. By the end of the course, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the principles that give athletes their competitive edge and enhance your appreciation of the science behind the games.
Learning Objectives
- Develop a model of Newtonian mechanics from a sport of your choice presenting relevant physics concepts
- Analyze and solve mathematical computations in kinematics, momentum, energy loss, and impulse in colliding systems in sports
- Apply concepts of conservation, work, energy, and power to explain efficiency and performance in various sports
- Use experimental data and simulations to evaluate the impact of physical principles on athletic performance and refine techniques based on your findings
About Advanced Enrichment courses
These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges. Students work individually and may finish the course early if they complete all requirements before the course end date.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
Online
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Days: Every Mon for 6 weeks
Times: 9 - 10:30 a.m. (Eastern time)
Register by: June 19, 2026
Time Commitment:
Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].
Families will be notified by email of any required materials one week prior to the course start date.
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week (90 minutes of synchronous class time, 1-2 hours of independent work per week). Course will include 6 sessions over 6 weeks.
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Days: Every Wed for 6 weeks
Times: 7 - 8:30 p.m. (Eastern time)
Register by: September 15, 2026
Time Commitment:
Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].
Families will be notified by email of any required materials one week prior to the course start date.
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week (90 minutes of synchronous class time, 1-2 hours of independent work per week). Course will include 6 sessions over 6 weeks.
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid