SP255, Physics of Rock Climbing
Spring 2008
Questions?
Ask Dave Custer, x3-7787,
custer@mit.edu
Last updated early Feb, 2008.
During the spring of 2008, class
meets Mondays, 3:00=>5:00 in 24-611.
Subject description:
SP255 is a discussion and project-based seminar about the
physics of rock climbing. Participants are
first exposed to problems in the climbing community that
could be answered by research and are then asked to solve a
small part of one of these problems. The seminar provides an
introduction to engineering problems, an opportunity to practice
communication skills, and a brief stab at doing some research. This
seminar explicitly does not include climbing instruction nor is
climbing/mountaineering experience a prerequisite.
Student deliverables:
Students are expected to attend class, read a
little, do some back of the envelope calculations, engage in a pair of
research projects (one smaller, one larger), present twice, write
brief research proposals (total ~3 pages), and write research reports
(total ~5 pages).
Research projects:
Research projects are open ended and
students are encouraged to determine their own project. Projects are
limited by the scope of the seminar (6 units) and the availability of
resources and funding. Nonetheless, there are many options. Modeling
of climbing systems (spread sheet, analytical models, finite element
models), climber/physics education & curriculum development, simple
experiments, climber psychology & habits survey, new equipment
design/equipment improvement, and instrumentation for measurement of
climbing systems. Students may work together or independently on
projects according to the project scope and student inclination.
Schedule:
Week 1, Feb 11: Introductions, introductory puzzle. Homework: 1) What
questions do you have about climbing that might be answered, by
literature search, experiment, or modeling 2) What climbing
information sources do you find in need of further scrutiny?
Week 2, Feb 19 (Tuesday=MIT Monday schedule): Discussion of puzzles &
questions. "Open Questions" presentation. Identify first reseach
undertaking(s). Homework: short proposal, including resources required.
Week 3, Feb 25: Smaller research/modeling project & "lectures"
Week 4, Mar 3 : Smaller research/modeling project & "lectures"
Week 5, Mar 10: Smaller research/modeling project & "lectures"
Week 6, Mar 17: Presentation of small project results & identification
of larger project
Spring Break
Week 7, Mar 31: Final project work
Week 8, Apr 7: Final project work
Week 9, Apr 14: Final project work
Patriot's Day Holiday
Week 10, Apr 28: Final project work
Week 11, May 5: Final project work (No "class" as Dave is out of town.)
Week 12, May 12: Presentations & wrap-up
A record of the Spring 2006 schedule and
projects.
Bibliography/References
background photo by susan ruff