Football: The Exhibit

September 20 2008–January 4 2009

Sprint down a track to see how fast you can run. Check your reaction time. Predict the outcome of football players crashing into each other. Discover the importance of balance for cheerleaders and rotational motion for a marching band. It's all in the visiting exhibition Football: The Exhibit.

What's football doing in the Science Center? "Football is loaded with science and technology," says Science Center Executive Director Jeff Liverman. "Take the physics of a forward pass. Combine it with fast moving muscles for running. Add a player's helmet filled with protective technology. Toss in rotational inertia connected of acrobatic cheerleaders and angular velocity of a marching band. You end up with a science-filled football experience."

Think you're strong enough to be a linesman? Test your grip strength. While you're at it check out your reaction times. Those are both important to be a successful player. Along the way, find out how muscles work.

Fascinated by a forward pass? Experiment with a wheel gyroscope to get a better idea of the strength and stability of a spinning ball. Calculate the passing statistics of a game concentrating on passes completed and yards gained. Graph the development of the passing game over the years.

Race a friend to see how fast each of you can run. Football is a contact sport so you know there'll be collisions. Experiment with collision dynamics. Figure probable outcomes of different collision scenarios. How good is your peripheral vision? Find out in the open field game zone.

You can't have football without a kicking game. Study how different angles affect distance and hang time of the ball. Run ball stability trials. Examine characteristics of headgear, pads and playing surfaces ad you explore the technology of football. Use an arthroscope to look at the inside of a simulated knee.

Those cheerleaders at a game are using angular momentum and relying on their inner ears for balance during their routines. Adjust an inner ear model to see how its shape provides multi axes for cheerleaders. Discover how marching bands incorporate angular and linear velocity along with rotational motion in their routines. Peruse college and professional football memorabilia.

Football: The Exhibit is from the Museum of Discovery. Football: The Exhibit is included with Science Center admission. Regular admission is $5 for youth 4-12 and seniors 60+ and $6 for adults.