Solar System Series

What if the World Series took place not just on Earth?

Resource Overviews

Curveball• Students are able to study

Aerodynamic Forces (Lift) using a baseball. (Newton’s Laws)

• Student acts as a Big League Picture and tries to throw strikes.

• Stadium Locations and other factors can be adjusted and changed to study the effects on Lift

• Different weather parameters can also be set

HitModeler• Students are also able to

study Aerodynamic Forces and Newton’s Laws

• As the Batter, students are able to see what effect location, weather conditions and speed have on the flight of a hit baseball

• Students can analyze (graphically) these changes and there effect.

Highlights & Limitations

CurveBall• Ability to change locations

(Earth to Mars)• Adjustments to Weather

Conditions• Two views of the baseball

(overhead flight and wind tunnel)

• Use of Probe for testing pressure changes

• No actual Picture or batter view of the flight (MLB)

• More Planetary Locations• Trouble with probe usage

HitModeler• Location changes and

Weather Condition changes• Speed of pitch and Angel

(fastball and curves)• Ability to increase or

decrease Grid view• Ability to plot more than

one flight of the ball• Ease of use by students• No “Stadium view”• No swing of the bat

Lesson: Students are given the option to be a Solar System Series Pitcher or Batter. Using NASA ‘s CurveBall or HitModeler Applets.

Objective: Compare your Earth Statistics with your Mars Statistics

Students act as Pitcher Students act as Batters

Mulberry ElementaryNovember 2010

Mr. Heck’s 5th Grade Science Class:

Solar System - Baseball Series