Soccer Kicks

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This activity (on page 2 of the PDF under SciGirls Activity: Soccer Ball Kick) is a full inquiry investigation into transfer of motion. Groups of learners will measure the length and circumference of their kicking legs and then takes turns spotting and measuring the distance of each other’s one-step kick of a soccer ball. Learners calculate and graph the average distance as a function of leg length and as a function of leg circumference. Relates to linked video, DragonflyTV: Soccer Ball Kick.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • a soccer ball
  • a long tape measure (metric if possible), 30 meters or 100 feet
  • a yard-long flexible tape, such as used in sewing
  • a large, flat grassy surface outdoors
  • cones or markers (small paper plates with bamboo skewers work well)
  • a notebook

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Mechanical Engineering
  • Life Sciences
    • Human Body
      • Skeleton
      • Muscles and Skin
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Analysis
      • Data Collection
      • Data Representation
    • Measurement
      • Units of Measurement
      • Size and Scale
      • Circles
    • Number and Operations
    • Reasoning and Proof
    • Representation
  • The Nature of Technology
    • The Design Process
      • Problem Solving
  • Physical Sciences
    • Energy
      • Energy and Power
    • Motion and Forces
      • Momentum and Velocity
      • Acceleration
      • Projectile Motion
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • About Inquiry
      • Asking Questions
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Outdoor Activity
  • Physical Activity
  • Sports and Exercise

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Culture, ethnicity, and gender

  • Girls

    • Highlights STEM opportunities for this group
    • Identifies role models or mentors in STEM fields from this group
    • Uses inclusive images of people from this group

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Source Collection

  • DragonflyTV

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Twin Cities Public Television, Inc., 2006

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, 436260