AP Physics class “punts” for breast cancer

Posted on Nov 24, 2008

Lauralton’s Advanced Placement physics class, under the direction of Science Department Chair Theresa Napolitano, recently used artificial punters designed and built by the students to help raise funds for breast cancer research as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The goal was for the students to “kick” a football as far as possible toward a tarp made up of five multicolor squares arranged in varying patterns. The squares were assigned to five competing groups--freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors and faculty/staff/parents.

The contest took place on October 30, when tickets, grouped by the five competing categories, were sold for $1 each. After each “kick” the square that was hit by the football indicated the group for which a winning ticket would be pulled. Winners of the competition received gift certificates to Chili’s, Applebee’s, TGIF, Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, McDonalds, Bath Works, Dicks, Bob’s and more.

Funds raised...more than $2500...were donated to The Get in Touch Foundation in Milford, 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 Lauralton students can participate to help find a cure. Milford native Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, a breast cancer survivor and founder of the GIT Foundation, was on hand to accept the generous donation.  Please visit the website of the Get in Touch Foundation for more information.

This contest not only taught the students a great deal about physics, but also helped raise much needed funds for a most worthy cause.