The Night Train: V.A.M.P. Strikes Olympic Gold

            During recent morning meetings, we have been watching Newton’s Laws of Thermodynamics in action in Vancouver: figure skating, luge, snowboarding, downhill skiing all being sports that require a command of velocity, acceleration and momentum.  Of course what makes these sports interesting is the insertion of various obstacles. Anyone can go straight downhill on skis, a sled, or snowboard. Gravity will have its way. But when you put little sticks in the way and call it slalom, or sloping, high-banked curves that amp up the G-forces, or turn the ski slope into a half-pipe, things get interesting. When you tamper with the laws of thermodynamics—squeeze them through slalom gates or rollercoaster bends—you create sport.

            The most prominent example for our purposes was Night Train, “the sleek, black-plastered sled designed by the former NASCAR racer Geoff Bodine” and driven by Steve Holcomb. “In the first run, the Americans set the record at 50.89 seconds. They lowered it to 50.86 in their second run. In warmer temperatures on Saturday, they propped their lead to .45 seconds after a third-run time of 51.19. They finished their victory slide in 51.52 seconds for a four-run total of 3:4246.”* The verb “blistered” was used to describe how the Night Train demonstrated Newton’s laws careering down the course. The team’s performance ended a 62-year U.S. bobsled gold medal drought.

            Even curling, which many people are loathe to call a sport instead of a game, exercises the VAMP principles. The Scots invented the game of sliding stones on their lochs in the 16^th century, long before Sir Isaac Newton noticed apples hitting the ground in his orchard. The original curling stones were called “loafies.” Clearly, the Scots are long overdue the true credit for discovering momentum—time to end the 500-year credit drought.

            The Olympics occur every four years. The Adams School VAMP races every two, alternating coincidence between winter and summer Olympics.  Though our car designers do not yet have the NASCAR street cred of the Night Train, it’s easy to see how the next generation of bobsled and luge-designers are cutting their teeth in a small town in Maine. A few of the mechanics and designers took time out from the rigors of car maintenance to shed some light on their process.

            “We call our car The Leaf,” said Phoebe and Morgan (Names in this article are pseudonyms, a condition for the interviews in this highly competitive world of VAMP design and racing). Sure enough, their small, pointed car had the distinctive coloring of a maple leaf in October, shades bleeding from green to red.

            “We made it pointed at the tip to let the air go underneath and create less friction on the wheels,” said Morgan.

            “It lifts it up,” said Phoebe,  “letting air go over the top.” The dagger-like body seemed to be going 95 just sitting still. The design team also found a method of increasing weight without disturbing the airflow over the body, and decrease friction through the use of a “special substance.” A secrecy clause in their contract prevented them sharing the proprietary information. The Leaf’s gold wheels and final paint job are not expected to add velocity or momentum, but it’ll “just look cooler.” The Leaf is driverless, the autopilot being another weight-saving device.

            The Intervention might seem like an odd name for a VAMP car, but this design by Nicholas and Jacob has an interesting lineage. “We built it to retest my older brother’s theory about aerodynamics versus weight,” said Jacob. The older brother used the same wedge-shaped body, but declined to add any weight. His car came in last, but was definitely the most aerodynamic.

            “Our question is, would Alex’s car have won if he had put weights in it,” said Jacob. “It’s aerodynamics versus weight, which turns into mass, which turns into acceleration, and finally momentum.” After that, it’s all down hill.

            And then there’s Blue Moon, the entry from Hanna and Margaret, which utilizes some of the same weight, aerodynamics, and graphite design features. One of their particular Olympic modifications is the redistribution of weight to the back axle and keeping it smooth by sanding an arch into the top. Its icy color is not expected to have an impact, but the glossy paint, from Margaret’s recent room makeover, is certainly eye-catching. Stability is also crucial. “You can’t win if your car falls off the track,” they said! This was the only team to mention the inspiration of Danica Patrick.

            Other more experienced racers have shared tips like “keep two wheels off the ground for less friction.” Since there is a news embargo on many of the fine points, suffice to say that this year’s designers are tinkering with the following categories: color, paint smoothness, weight positioning, and center of gravity. One team predicted that the winning car to be the one that has its weight tuned to within .8 grams of the 250-gram limit.

            “Is there a prize for good looks?” Unfortunately, no.

            “Trademark dances, like the gold medal bobsled team’s Holcy Pokey?” More proprietary silence.

            Little is known about the effect of Highland dancing on curling stone velocity, acceleration and momentum.  It might be worth a try, though the kilt isn’t a garment known for aerodynamics. Can the Lycra kilt be far behind? The local VAMP aficionados have even theorized about the effect of bagpiping on the curling stones themselves. So what would, say, a hornpipe like “Jimmy Tweedy’s Sea Legs” do for the speed of The Intervention? I know, it’s a slippery slope.

—Todd

*“White Knuckles and Gold for U.S. Bobsled Team,” Jonathan Abrams, The New York Times, February 28, 2010.

Note: The Adams School VAMP Assembly is Wednesday, March 17^th at 10:15 in Emerson Hall.

Note from Nurse Candage regarding Strep Throat: Strep throat is very common

Reports & P-T Conferences coming…..We will send home second trimester reports on Monday, March 22. During the next week, starting March 29, we will hold parent-teacher conferences after school. Please call Mrs. Thomas to sign up for a convenient time.  

French Dinner Thanks: Merci Chef Gutow pour un trés bon repas! The French dinner last Monday was terrific. And thank you parents for providing a table full of superb desserts.

GSA Registration for 8^th grade parents: Thursday, March 18….Dean of Students Libby Rosemeier will come to school for meetings with parents and students to define a freshman program for anyone planning to attend GSA next year. Call Mrs. Thomas to sign up for an appointment.

SMORGS II: March 19 will be our second SMORG day this year…got a neat activity to do with a small group of kids in the afternoon? Let us know!

Yearbook Thanks: “On behalf of all the Adam’s School kids, a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all the supporters of the Adams School Yearbook this year.  The additional support pledged this past week has enabled us to meet our goal and continue with producing the yearbook this year.  We are on track for having the draft to the printer in the next couple of weeks and the finished yearbooks in hand the beginning of June.  We made it, and couldn’t have done it without you!”   —Lance Burton

ADAMS SCHOOL MENU            March 8^th -12^th

Monday – Fish Sticks, Noodles, Cinnamon Rolls, Carrots, Milk

Tuesday – Taco Beef Wrap, Green Beans, Muffin, Pears, Milk

Weds. – Pancakes, Sausage, Yogurt, Juice, Orange Slices, Milk

Thursday – BBQ Chicken, Rice, Cornbread, Mixed Veggies, Chocolate Pudding, Milk

Friday – Ham Italians, Sun Chips, Baby Carrots, Popsicle, Pumpkin Bar, Milk

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Come one and all and join us this Saturday, March 6th for the First Saturday Contra dance in Blue Hill, at the Blue Hill Town Hall.  Family dance starts at 6:30 with an all-comers band, and the evening contra will begin at 8:00, with music by the Oakum Bay String Band, and calling by Quena Crain.  Beginners, singles, couples, kids, families, all are welcome. All dances taught. Price is $3.00 for family dance (or $10 per family), or<> $7.00 for contra/or family and contra. Any questions, or for information about being part of the all comers band, call Heidi at 374-5417.  Hope to see you on the dance floor!

Calendar Update:

March

5          Deadline for Adams School principal applications.

12        Union 93 8th graders gather for day at MMA for swimming,

                        climbing, games, boat tour.
12        End of Trimester Two
17        VAMP Assembly at Emerson Hall, 10:15am.
18        GSA Registration at Adams for 8th graders. Call to schedule.
19        SMORGS II!
22        Term Two reports sent home.
22        Visiting Author/artist Peter Stone works with Calvineers.
25th   1,000th Day of School for 5th Graders.
26        Teacher in-service day: No school for students
27        Town Meeting: School then Municipal budgets.

10        Last student day, as of 1/25...pending snow days.
11        Teacher inservice
12        Teacher inservice.

TBA: field trip to Holbrook for K-4, Beach Day, Last day, Step-up Day.

 see attached flyers