Project Location/Destination: In town, Chicago Curling Club in Northbrook
Faculty Leaders: Melissa Dowling & Steven Coberly
Dates: Monday, March 13 - Friday, March 17
Cost: $520
Special Considerations
See below.
Objective
We will learn to curl! Students will learn the basics of curling along with some of the physics, history and strategy that make the game interesting.
Description
Your opponents currently have shot rock in the eighth end, but you are the skip, and your team has hammer. There are two guards between you and the house. Your foot leaves the hack and, just before the hog line, you release your stone toward your vice’s broom, hoping you have the correct weight and curl to hit the button, or at least bite the four foot. Your line is great, but you know you are light, so, at the top of your voice, you yell to your lead and second, “HAAAAAAAAAAAARD!!!!!”
If this excites you, if this makes sense to you, if this makes no sense to you but you want it to, then “Curling in Chicago” is the project for you! During the week, students will spend part of each day learning about different aspects of curling. This will include the physics that governs the motion of a curling stone, history of the game, and strategy for gameplay. We will travel each day to the Chicago Curling Club in Northbrook to spend time on the ice learning to play the game. Members of the club will provide the on-ice instruction. The week’s events will culminate with the third-ever Latin Bonspiel (a curling competition), with the winners hoisting the coveted Roman Chalice.
Student Requirements and Expectations
Students should have a true interest in learning to curl and be prepared to do a moderate amount of physical activity. In addition to doing the on-ice training, students should also be excited to participate enthusiastically in the off-ice lessons, discussions, and activities and then participate in the culminating bonspiel.
About the Faculty
Ms. Dowling and Mr. Coberly are curling nerds! They participate in curling leagues. They own their own curling shoes and curling brooms. They watch curling YouTube videos. They sit in the stands at Midwestern curling competitions. And they are always talking curling strategy in the science office. Ms. Dowling is currently working on developing her takeout weight, and Mr. Coberly is trying to get better at making weight calls while sweeping.
Special Considerations:
Expectation for physical activity - This project will require a significant amount of physical exertion and possibly some physical discomfort. Students on this project should be willing to deal with discomfort, at times, in a cold environment. Students are expected to be able to participate fully in all these daily activities.
Food limitations and allergies - Students with food allergies and food sensitivities should understand that there may be times that food options will be limited. In addition, there may be cross contamination risk of allergens, as there will be times where outside food vendors will prepare our meals. Please contact the project leaders or school nurse with any questions or concerns.