Linking science, sports

The mobile science program travels throughout five states.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
HAD PROSSER, 7, CLOSED HIS eyes, spun around three times and still tossed the basketball through the hoop.
"I got it on both tries," the Poland Union Elementary first-grader said.
The basketball display was one of several activities at the school Tuesday as part of COSI on Wheels' Science of Sports demonstration.
COSI is the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus. COSI on Wheels travels to schools throughout Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia teaching children about science, said Stephanie Hernandez, outreach demonstrator.
The basketball display shows pupils how to use their other senses to make a basket. A parent volunteer taps a stick against the backboard so pupils, with eyes closed, get an idea where to aim.
Chad isn't sure how he made both baskets, but he and older brother Chase play basketball together at home.
Kincaid Mrakovich, 7, and also in first grade, made one of his two tries from the free-throw line.
"I listened for the sound to know where to throw," Kincaid said.
Jenna Bonarigo, 7, and in kindergarten, tested the activity that shows how friction affects the speed of an object.
"I rolled the balls down, one was one carpet and the other was on a hard floor," Jenna said.
Which one moved faster?
"The one on the hard floor," she said.
Awaiting their turn
Catherine Sicafuse, 7, and Jayla McAdams, 5, both kindergartners, waited in line for another go at the wheelchair event.
"You have to go down to one end and the turn around and go to the other end," Jayla offered.
"And you can't use your feet," Catherine piped in.
One pupil powers a regular wheelchair while another steers a wheelchair designed for sports. The sports wheelchair is lighter, explained Hernandez.
"There's something different about the sports wheelchair," Catherine said. "The top of the wheels are straight and the bottom of the wheels are turned down."
Other displays tested children's reaction times and concentration, showed different parts of a human brain and how a helmet protects it and the way movement affects a gyroscope.
COSI on Wheels visits four to five schools per week, Hernandez said.
denise_dick@vindy.com