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MENTOR: Dr. James Tucci
Department of Physics, School of Science
Science and Engineering Laboratory Building, LD 156Q
Indiana University Indianapolis
A hands-on physics and service-learning project focused on collecting human motion data during the Jagathon event to calculate energy and power, paired with a Valentine's fundraiser to support pediatric healthcare through community engagement.
Project: Jagathon Motion & Engagement Lab
Presenter: Naman Gargayan
Faculty Mentor: Dr. James Tucci
Community Partner: Jagathon – IU Dance Marathon
Project Description
This project merged kinetic energy and community energy. Under the mentorship of Prof. James Tucci, I mentored students in designing and conducting an open-air physics lab during IU Indianapolis’ annual Jagathon — a high-energy dance marathon that raises funds for pediatric healthcare causes.
Our goal was to explore how theoretical physics principles — such as work, power, and energy expenditure — apply to human motion in real, unpredictable environments. Students used smartphone fitness apps to track their own movements across multiple 30-minute intervals while walking, dancing, running, and more. With this data, they calculated key physical parameters and visualized trends across different motion styles and intensities.
This activity highlighted the dynamic nature of human movement and how real-world conditions complicate idealized physics models. Students found that variables like personal fitness, rest periods, activity types, and even app sensor placement could introduce both random and systematic errors — giving them a meaningful lesson in both science and humanity.
Methods
Methods
We tracked student motion using apps like Apple Health and Google Fit.
Each participant logged:
Step count
Distance traveled
Activity duration
Estimated energy expenditure (kcal)
Heart rate and recovery rate.
DAta Collection & Implementation
DAta Collection & Implementation
Students then applied classical physics equations to compute:
Students then applied classical physics equations to compute:
Stride Length = Distance / Steps
Average Speed = Distance / Time
Force = Mass × 9.8 m/s²
Work = Force × Distance
Energy = Work / 4.19 / 4
Average Power = Energy / Time
Observations
Observations
The data was then graphed and compared, revealing trends such as:
The data was then graphed and compared, revealing trends such as:
Step count vs. time — consistent linear progression
Average speed vs. power — largely proportional
Mass vs. energy output — unexpectedly weak correlation
🌱 Civic Engagement: Valentine’s Day Fundraiser 🌱
🌱 Civic Engagement: Valentine’s Day Fundraiser 🌱
As part of our broader engagement effort, I coordinated a student-run Valentine’s fundraiser alongside the Jagathon lab. In the week leading up to the event, our team purchased and sold premium chocolates and carnations to raise additional support for Jagathon’s charitable mission.
Students managed setup, logistics, and promotion, giving them hands-on experience in community outreach, teamwork, and fundraising ethics. While the monetary outcome was modest, the civic learning was powerful — emphasizing initiative, empathy, and the power of small actions to uplift a shared cause.
Reflections & Learning Outcomes
Reflections & Learning Outcomes
Through this project, students gained practical insight into:
How real-world motion data reflects and resists idealized models
The complexities of measuring energy, power, and physiological response
The role of effort, variability, and individual differences in physics-based analysis
Connecting academic work to community purpose in a joyful, human-centered setting
As a mentor, I supported students in designing their own experiments, interpreting messy data, and reflecting on the relationship between numbers and lived experience. We closed the semester not just with graphs, but with a deeper understanding of physics, purpose, and participation.
“We measured different metrics — but the real momentum came from a shared commitment to something bigger than ourselves.”
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