Lesson Title: Introduction to Biomechanics
Grade Level: 9th-10th
Objective: Students will be able to understand the basic concepts of biomechanics, including forces, motion, and energy, and apply them to real-life examples, while addressing the following Australian Health and Physical Education Curriculum standards:
Movement and Physical Activity: Principles of motion and biomechanics
Health Knowledge and Promotion: Understanding of physical activity and movement patterns and their impact on health and wellbeing
Materials:
Projector or interactive whiteboard
Handouts for students
Balls of different sizes and weights
Measuring tape
Stopwatch
Procedure:
1. Introduction (10 minutes)
Ask the students what they know about biomechanics.
Explain that biomechanics is the study of how forces affect living things, including humans and animals.
Show a video or images of athletes in motion and ask students what forces they think are at play.
2. Lecture and Discussion (20 minutes)
Use the handouts from the Ultimate Biomechanics Bundle to go over the basic concepts of biomechanics, including forces, motion, and energy.
Discuss the different types of forces, such as gravity, friction, and tension, and how they apply to different movements.
Talk about how motion can be described in terms of speed, velocity, and acceleration.
Discuss how energy is transferred from one object to another, such as in collisions.
3. Activity (30 minutes)
Divide the class into small groups and give each group a ball of a different size and weight.
Have the students measure the diameter and mass of their ball using the measuring tape and scale provided.
Have each group take turns rolling their ball down a ramp and measuring its velocity using the stopwatch and measuring tape.
Encourage the students to make predictions about how the size and weight of the ball will affect its velocity before they roll it.
After each group has had a turn, have them compare their results and discuss how the size and weight of the ball affected its velocity.
4. Conclusion (10 minutes)
Ask the students to reflect on what they have learned about biomechanics and how it relates to physical activity and health.
Ask them to give an example of a real-life situation where an understanding of biomechanics would be useful in promoting physical activity and preventing injury.
Wrap up the lesson by thanking the students for their participation and reminding them of the importance of biomechanics in physical activity and health.
Assessment:
Observe students during the activity to assess their understanding of biomechanical concepts.
Have students write a short paragraph explaining how the size and weight of the ball affected its velocity and how this relates to physical activity and health.