Name: ____________________________ Date: ______________ Block: _____
Spring Football Challenge- Part I
Learning Objective:
 To explore the relationship between football and the physical science concepts of
velocity, acceleration, and force
 To learn basic concepts of Microsoft Excel
Key Terms: distance, time, velocity, acceleration, force, friction
Materials needed:
Football A
Football B
Tape measure
Data sheet
Calculator
Stopwatch
Background:
(Disclaimer: This is a fictional story made for physical science purposes only)
The new Miller Grove HS football coach is trying to determine his plans for the
first football season. He is debating whether or not his team should focus on a
running game or a passing game. If he does choose a passing game, there are
two different types of footballs that he is considering using. His decision will be
based on which game is the fastest. He recognizes the connection between
science and football. Therefore, he has solicited the help of Ms. Hollis’ science
classes to help him make his decision. You are to pretend to be the Miller Grove
football team today. You will be given time to collect data that you deem
necessary to help the coach reach his decision.
Hints:
 You may want to find out what the equation of speed is before collecting your
data.
 You should repeat all measurements at least three (3) times
Pre-Lab Questions:
1. What are the different scenarios that need to be considered/ compared?
2. What variables need to be recorded to successfully compare the different scenarios?
Name: ____________________________ Date: ______________ Block: _____
Data Collection:
To be continued: We will continue with part II next week.
Name: ____________________________ Date: ______________ Block: _____
Spring Football Challenge- Part II
Now that we have collected our data it is time to analyze the data and determine
which football game to recommend to the new MGHS coach.
1. Goto the following website to get the MS Excel file entitled, “Spring Football
Challenge II”: http://pbl.cc.gatech.edu/step/25
2. Once you have the file open enter your data that you collected in Table A
3. Next, we will calculate the average measurements from each scenario.
A. For scenario 1, goto cell B16 and type “ =average(B3:B5)” to calculate
the average time
B. goto cell C16 and type “ =average(C3:C5) ” to calculate the average
distance.
C. Repeat this for scenario 2 and 3.
dis tan ce
4. Calculate the speed of each scenario by using the equation speed 
.
time
A. In cell D15 type “=C15/B15”.
B. Select D15 and drag mouse down to D20.
C. Goto the “Edit” pull down menu, select fill, and drag mouse to “down”.
This will calculate the speed in the remaining cells
5. Now, it is time to graphically represent our data. Using your mouse highlight
cells B15 through C16. Next, click on the bar graph in the tool bar. Once the
chart wizard pops up complete the following steps:
A. Select scatter plot then select next
B. Select the circle beside the word columns (Do NOT select next)
C. Select the series tab in the upper left hand corner.
D. Type “Scenario 1” in the box that says Name and now select next
E. In the chart title box type, “MGHS Football Game”
F. In the value (x) axis box type, “Time (seconds)”
G. In the value (y) axis box type, “Distance (yards)” and now select next
H. Select the “finish” button
6. Scientists sometimes put multiple lines on the same graph to compare
different sets of data. Let’s graph the data from the other two scenarios so that
we can compare them.
A. Left click on the graph
B. Select the “Series” tab in the top left hand corner and click the “add”
button
C. Type “Scenario 2” into the name box
D. Select the “Data Range” tab in the left hand corner
E. Select the small button on the right end of the “X values” box
F. Use your mouse to select cells B17 through B18 and press Enter
G. Select the small button on the right end of the “Y values” box
H. Use your mouse to select cells C17 through C18 and press Enter
I. Press “OK”
Name: ____________________________ Date: ______________ Block: _____
J. Left click on the graph again
K. Select the “Series” tab in the top left hand corner and click the “add”
button
L. Type “Scenario 3” into the name box
M. Select the “Data Range” tab in the left hand corner
N. Select the small button on the right end of the “X values” box
O. Use your mouse to select cells B19 through B20 and press Enter
P. Select the small button on the right end of the “Y values” box
Q. Use your mouse to select cells C19 through C20 and press Enter
R. Press “OK”
7. When graphing data, it is important to know the trend or pattern of the data. A
trend line helps you see the relationship between the independent (x-axis)
variable and the dependent variable (y-axis). So we will add a trend line.
A. Click on the scenario I data point on the graph that we just made
B. Goto the “Chart” pull down menu and select “Add trendline”
C. Make sure the “linear” graph is selected and select “Ok”
D. Repeat steps A-C for scenarios 2 and 3
We are now finished with our data analysis. Please print out your data and
graph. You will need them to answer your post-lab questions.
Name: ____________________________ Date: ______________ Block: _____
Post Lab Questions:
1. It is always important when collecting scientific data to repeat you measurements
more than once and report the average of the different measurement values. Why do
you think reporting averaging repeated measurements is more accurate than only
reporting one measurement?
2. The slope is the measure of the steepness of a line; therefore, is a line is steeper than
another line it has a larger slope. The slope can also be defined as
speed is defined as
rise
y
or . If the
run
x
dis tan ce
, what is the fastest scenario solely (only) based on the
time
graph? Why?
3. Which scenario is the fastest based on your calculated values of speed? Is this
the same scenario as your answer from question 2?
4. What type of football game would you recommend to the new MGHS football
coach based on your data analysis? Why?
**Please print and attach your spreadsheet with your data and graph**
**Also attach your original handwritten data sheet**