Circusology

While it may seem that skills like BMX biking, juggling and breakdancing are superhuman, all of these stunts are made possible by the laws of physics! Let the tricks of an urban circus inspire a research project about physics and how it can relate to the motion of a performer.

Start by introducing your class to a few fundamental concepts of physics like gravity, velocity, inertia and centripetal force. Over the course of a week, have your students research one essential law surrounding one of these concepts. They can investigate what their law is, how it was discovered, how it functions and how it applies to the real world.

Once they’ve completed their research, have each student demonstrate their chosen physics concept to the rest of the class using only classroom objects.

After everyone has presented and gained a basic understanding of the laws of physics, choose a video together of an urban circus stunt or breakdancing trick.

As a class, break down how science makes this feat possible and how what they’ve learned applies to the performance. If possible, your class can even try to replicate the trick in your classroom (safely, of course)!

To support this unit, use the Doin’ the Newton Dance Activity.