SportsZone

SportsZone is a new permanent exhibition that explores how sport connects the science of the human body, laws of motion, and technical innovation. Explore physical fitness, nutrition, equipment, and safety as you prepare to play. Then, hit the turf and go for it! Test your skills at pitching, jumping, surfing, and running all while investigating the fundamental concepts of health, materials science, mechanics, and motion.

INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES:

• Energy Goal: Calculate how much energy you need based on your activity level and your basic physiological needs.
• Body in Motion: Explore the biomechanics of bones and ligaments.
• Drink Analysis: Investigate the best fluids to drink before, during, and after exercise.
• Warm ups: Get your mind and body ready to run with some active stretching.
• Bike Efficiency: Gear up for a bike race! Find a friend and start cranking your bikes as you race a virtual course over uphill and downhill terrain.
• Helmet Test: How much protection does a football helmet actually provide? Test the force of a direct impact on side-by-side model heads—one wearing a helmet, one without.
• Bike Gears: Observe mechanical advantage at work in bicycle design.
• Ski Shape: Test how shaped skis provide greater control on a curved slope.
• Race Against Professional Athletes: A 40-foot long race challenge pairs you against your choice of virtual competitors, including Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver Jordan Matthews, Inline Speed Skater Brian Talley, Paralympic Medalists Tatyana McFadden and Richard Browne, Marathon Runner Dawn Grunnagle, and even fan favorite Phillie Phanatic. High-speed cameras track and analyze your run!
• Test Your Jump: Test your jump momentum by recording your maximum height in a standing jump as you hit a column of buttons. Then, take a running start towards an array of basketballs (ranging in height from 5’ to 11’) and try to reach a higher height.
• Form a Pitch: Analyze and improve your pitching technique and learn about body mechanics with high-speed camera analysis of your pitch compared to an expert’s motions.
• Surfboard Balance: Catch a wave, and experiment with positioning your center of mass to improve your balance.
• Splash Dynamics Demo: Drop different objects into a tank and analyze the splash to see how shape affects their entry.