The Science of Play – Bringing the Playground into the Classroom

This session explores the fascinating science hidden in every playground. Using familiar spaces that all students have experienced, participants will examine how surfacing materials, structure design, and force calculations demonstrate real-world physics principles. From understanding impulse and force dispersion to calculating energy and impact (MGH), educators will discover creative ways to turn playgrounds into dynamic STEM learning environments. By connecting playground experiences to physics concepts, teachers can make science tangible and relatable, helping students grasp how forces react and move in the spaces where they used to play.