Physics class tees off for breast cancer

Posted by: Debbie Bowley on Wed, 31 October 2007 01:49:54

Under the direction of Science Department Chair Theresa Napolitano, the Lauralton Hall AP Physics class recently participated in a project that not only taught the students a lot about physics, but also raised much-needed funds for a most worthy cause--breast cancer research. 

Class members designed and constructed “contraptions” to serve as artificial golf ball drivers. Golf balls were driven in an attempt to make the farthest drive in six trials. The designs attempted to maximize the force at the optimum angle, as well as allow for a follow thru swing. The drivers were placed in front of a tarp made up of five multicolor squares arranged in varying patterns. The squares were assigned to the five competing groups--freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors and faculty/staff/parents.

The launch took place on October 29. Tickets were sold for $1 each and grouped by the category of purchaser…freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or faculty/staff/parent. After each shot the square that was hit by the ball indicated the group for which a winning ticket would be pulled. There were six winners for the competition with prizes including gift certificates to Chili’s, Applebee’s, Dunkin Donuts, iTunes, TGIF and Starbucks.

Funds raised...more than $2500...will be donated to the Breast Cancer Alliance in Greenwich, Connecticut in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast Cancer has touched the lives of many members of the community through family and friends and this is a small activity in which we can participate to do our part to help find a cure.