Help with a Science Fair Project - UALR Roll Session - 11/27

[pealex]

My son Thomas is working on his Science Fair project and he is studying the mechanics of bent shaft paddles. My first question is would it be ok if we set up a test run in the diving area underneath the diving boards this Saturday at the UALR pool? We would stay clear of folks learning to roll. My second question is would anyone be willing to participate in this experiment? Please let me know.

Peter Alexander

[Tim Eubanks]

What's he going to measure, Pete? Science fair judges can be real SOB's sometimes.

[JTarver]

Pete, the only problem I can see is that the pool is closed this week/weekend on both our days due to the holidays.
Aside from that, you wouldn't have any problems with testing his experiment, and if I'm there I'd be happy to help if you want, since I use a bent shaft paddle.
Sorry about the pool, but there is always the Saline river in Benton, and or the Ouachita in malvern, along with any number of lakes. You might just have to alter your location a bit.
Joe

[Fish]

I don't know about SOB judges, but in a science fair the more you demonstrate use of the scientific method, the better you will likely do. I agree with Tim that quantitative measurement always trumps qualitative observations in science fairs. If you can, make a prediction (like bent shaft paddles put less strain on the "pulling" arm of a paddler), measure the result (good: have some paddlers go for 30 minutes with a non-bent shaft and 30 minutes with a bet shaft and have them fill out a questionaire -- even better: go get a big spring scale [like those for weighing big fish) and actually measure the force needed to pull on the paddles to complete a stroke, all other things being equal as they can be), and then state conclusions about the results (even better if you can theorize on hour to improve current designs based on your results). That and a good presentation/display (I'd definitely have some paddles available for people to try out) should put you in the running!

- Fish (former high-school science teacher)

[Clif]

SOB = Short Open Boat?? They use bent shafts?

[pealex]

Thanks for all of the feedback. Bummer that the pool will not be open, but it is nice that folks running the pool get some time off.

Thomas' plan is to use a throw rope to measure a distance in the pool and then measure the number of strokes it takes to cover the distance using a bent shaft compared to a straight shaft. His hypothesis is that it will take fewer strokes with a bent shaft paddle.

[Fish]

Excellent idea! Let us know how it works out.

[Jim E]

Maybe I'm missing something but a bent shaft paddle has no advantage over a straight shaft when it comes to the blade meeting the water. In other words, one shaft is not more efficient than the other. To test Thomas' theory, he would have to look at the blade designs...where the rubber meets the road, so to say. Not the shaft. Bent shaft paddles are for the comfort of the paddler, which might/should equal to more endurance for the paddler. Something harder to measure in a scientific way.

Just sayin'

It is great though that he desires to involve paddling in his experiment!

[pealex]

Thomas is testing out bent shaft canoe paddles. Thanks again for the feedback.

[Jim E]

Ahh! I see now that I was missing something. Was thinking kayak paddles...

[Cowper]

Sounds simple, but this could be a tough experiment. Have to control for variations in paddler strength, varying levels of condition through multiple trials, and the very hard to measure "how hard were you paddling???" Then collect enough data to get some meaningful "averages", and do some statistics work to see if the variations are significant or not.

One element that will be very hard to control is the paddler's expectations - if the paddler "knows" which paddle should provide better efficiency, internally they will be more motivated to try harder for best times when using the stick they believe in.

In other words, done right it has all the elements of a great science experiment and a valuable learning/teaching experience!