Cirkidz explore science of cycling (20 January 2011) – Adelaide Now

Unicyclists are ready to round up the punters for a free science event at the Tour Down Under this Sunday.

The Cirkidz troupe learnt the science of their sport at the RiAus Science Exchange on Thursday, in order to prepare a few cute and catchy performance pieces.

Each explains the maths and physics of riding a unicycle using everyday language.

Lisa Goldsworthy, 16, says it’s a fun way to learn science.

“I find it easier to learn if I can see and feel it, rather than just be told it,” she said.

“Seeing the drawings and then actually getting on the unicycle and trying it makes the information stick more, rather than just listening to somebody talking about it.”

She said school students could try some of the exercises in class.

“Maybe not the unicycle first up, but little things like balancing a broomstick in the palm of your hand, simpler things that demonstrate the same concepts,” Ms Goldsworthy said.

Understanding the science behind circus tricks can help improve performance, UniSA researcher Peter Pudney said.

“You can ride a unicycle instinctively without actually realising what it is that you’re doing,” he said.

“The fact that you’re constantly falling and constantly correcting yourself is something that hadn’t actually occurred to some of the Cirkidz students before. It’s just given them a better appreciation of what’s happening.”

Sunday’s free science event is a return to the popular series called Science Outside the Square.

RiAus senior programs co-ordinator Lisa Bailey says it’s important to run public events out in the community and the Tour Down Under is a perfect opportunity.

“We want these guys to be attracting attention for us,” she said.

“It’s one of the ways that we can achieve our mission of bringing people to science and bringing science to people, so taking it out to them.”

Article sourced from Adelaide Now: Cirkidz explore science of cycling (20 January 2011)