STEM Activity Packet 4: Comparing Skaters

Objective To practice solving math problems involving distance, time and average speed in association with ice skating Materials Pencil, paper, calculator Estimated Time 20 minutes (This is provided as a guide, as all activities can be lengthened or shortened as necessary). CA State Science Standards 6th grade I&E7b, c; 7th grade I&E7a, c; 8th grade PS1b, c Video Support Content Science of Hockey video: Reaction Time – Physical Science The Science The speed at which an ice hockey player skates can be calculated using distance and time Student Activity As an introduction, click the video on the right to view the Science of Hockey Video: Reaction Time – Physical Science. Math Activity Ice hockey is an exciting and very fast sport. The Anaheim Ducks host a Skills Competition each year and one of the categories is “The Fastest Skater.” Looking at the rink diagram above, the competitors start at the Blue Line on the left of the Centerline, then skate around the Faceoff Circle, then head toward the Faceoff Circle at the opposite end of the rink. The finish line of the race is the Centerline. Their time is recorded as each pair of competitors race. Calculate the approximate distance that the skaters travel (imagine the Faceoff Circles are squares and that they travel to the Goal Line, then use those figures in your calculation). [Blue Line to Goal Line is 60’ + Faceoff Circle diameter is 30’ + from on Goal Line to the opposite Goal Line is 180’ + the Faceoff Circle diameter is 30’ + to the Centerline is 90’, totaling 390’.] Next take a look at the chart to see how quickly the hockey players who have won the Fastest Skater Competition have skated that 390-foot distance: Fastest Skater (Individual Event) 2011 Andrew Cogliano 14.238 seconds 2009 Saku Koivu 14.31 seconds 2008 Corey Perry 14.395 seconds* 2007 Andy McDonald 14.030 seconds 2004 Segei Federov 13.783 seconds 2003 Steve Rucchin 13.713 seconds 2002 Petr Sykora 14.039 seconds 2001 Samuel Pahlsson 13.690 seconds 2000 Jeff Friesen 13.649 seconds 1999 Ted Donato 14.640 seconds 1998 Marty McInnis 13.560 seconds 1997 Joe Sacco 13.610 seconds 1996 Teemu Selanne 13.386 seconds 1995 Paul Kariya 13.525 seconds 1994 Paul Kariya 13.510 seconds 1993 Troy Loney 14.363 seconds Now calculate how many miles per hour the skaters were skating. The mathematical formula for calculating speed is: Speed = Distance divided by Time. Therefore if you were to look at Andrew Cogliano’s time, you would take 390 feet and divide it by 14.238 seconds to get a product of 27.39 feet per second. To convert feet per second to miles per hour, divide the product by .68 mph. This would mean that Cogliano skated 18.6 miles per hour. Try this same exercise using the 1998 Fastest Skater winner, Marty McInnis’ score of 13.560 seconds. How many miles per hour did he travel? [390 feet divided by 13.560 seconds = 28.76 fps X .68 = 19.557 mph.] Who has been the fastest skater in this competition from 1992 to 2011 and how many miles per hour did he skate? [1996 Teemu Selanne; 390 feet divided by 13.386 seconds = 29.13 fps X .68 = 19.81 mph] Extension Visit the Science of Hockey Exhibit at Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, California to try how fast you can skate on a Teflon surface while racing against Captain Ryan Getzlaf. .

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