Turning Physics into Action: MMA Cadets Test Newton’s Laws on the Climbing Wall

At Missouri Military Academy, cadets don’t just learn physics: they experience it. By turning the campus climbing wall into a dynamic lab, physical science cadets explored Newton’s Laws of Motion through real-world application, uncovering insights about force, acceleration, and energy transfer.

Below, MMA science instructor Eric Evertson shares how this immersive, three-day lab brought complex concepts to life for cadets.

Science Instructor Eric Evertson guides cadets through a hands-on physics activity at MMA’s climbing wall.

“At Missouri Military Academy, we transform our campus facilities into dynamic laboratories that push beyond the traditional classroom. Recently, our physical science cadets took to the climbing wall for a high-impact exploration of Newton’s First and Second Laws of Motion.

MMA cadets explore Newton’s Laws at the campus climbing wall.

By calculating the force generated during controlled free falls, cadets gain a hands-on understanding of how acceleration and energy transfer work in the real world. One of the most striking ‘lightbulb moments’ in this lab is the counterintuitive deduction that—due to rope tension and deceleration—shorter falls can actually generate more peak force than longer ones. While the physics are complex, the experience is remarkably safe; advanced climbing ropes are designed to absorb significant energy, resulting in gentle landings.

MMA cadets explore force, acceleration, and energy transfer at the campus rock wall through hands-on learning.

This lab demonstrates how MMA utilizes unique assets not typically found at high schools to make complex science tangible. Throughout the three-day data collection period, the atmosphere emphasized encouragement, precision, and cadet leadership. Special thanks to CPL McMillen for his logistical support and commitment to safety.”

— Eric Evertson, Science Instructor

See more photos on Flickr.