Basketball Toss

Using a springboard with a movable fulcrum students try to shoot a ball through a basket while measuring the height of the ball as the fulcrum position and size and the ball density are changed. Students will explore parabolic motion by sending a ball through the basketball hoop. With the fulcrum and springboard they determine the connection between independent (fulcrum height, ball density, location of fulcrum ) and dependent (ball height) variables. Use of a 30-60-90 fulcrum introduces geometry concepts for right triangles. Using Tinkercad they learn to visualize and design real world 3D objects . The parts (hoop, ball, fulcrum, and springboard are printed on a 3D MakerBot printer, then assembled to make the complete test assembly.