To curl, or not to curl, that is the question.
In a manner of speaking, that is what Bowden’s Demareece MacKenzie set out to answer for her Youth Science Canada Fair project, a national competition featuring students in grades 7 to 12 across the country, which was held virtually earlier this year.
MacKenzie, 13, attempted to answer a question that most curlers assume they know the answer to: does temperature affect the curl of the rock?
In curling, after the rock is thrown, players usually reduce friction on the pebbled ice surface by sweeping heavily to heat up the ice, allowing the rock to curl and move more easily down the sheet.
MacKenzie’s conclusion was both a surprise to her and many in the curling community.
“My conclusion did contradict my hypothesis. My hypothesis was heating up the ice using friction will affect the number of revolutions, causing it to curl more,” she said.
“In conclusion, it turned out, no, it’s not sweeping. It’s how hard you push out of the hack and how much of a curl you put on the rock using your wrist.”
She conducted several experiments to test her hypothesis, testing the temperature of the ice at several points with a thermometer after she threw the rock, and again with sweepers.
MacKenzie took her project, which was second best at her school, and competed at the national fair in the grade 7/8 curiosity and ingenuity category.
“I think first place would have been a great achievement, however, having the recognition and interest of the subject that’s relatable to so many people is a great experience, too,” she said.
The Olds Curling Club junior, who took up the game about two years ago, was hoping the project could help improve her game. She’s also been interested in science for as long as she can remember, conducting experiments making crystals with her dad when she was little.
Her most recent project combined both passions and she thinks all curlers will benefit from what she discovered.
“It was very fun, because I’m interested in curling and I want to expand my knowledge and learning and skill. Hopefully, that will lead me to a pro team one day,” she said.