The Secret Science of Sports: The Math, Physics, and Mechanical Engineering Behind Every Grand Slam, Triple Axel, and Penalty Kick

This topic intrigued me: the science of sports! It's obvious the two go hand-in-hand, but I can't think of another book for a middle-grade audience on this topic. Physics can explain how some physical traits may give an athlete an advantage in a certain sport. For example, larger people must overcome more drag (the force acting against them) when moving through the air or water. Yet, while science is a factor, there are many other factors in an athlete's success.The "Math + Sports" section explains scoring, probability, and statistics.There's so much information in this book. Just a few topics include finding your pulse, learning about gravity, why nutrition matters, preventing injury, and how choosing environmentally friendly materials is necessary in sustaining our planet.This book is a must-have for kids who enjoy sports, and is valuable to educators and in classrooms with its STEM content.

Science may not be what comes to mind when people think of sports, but our favorite pastimes wouldn't work without STEM. Without an understanding of body science athletes wouldn't know about carbo-loading to stockpile energy before an event. No technology would mean no improvements in the materials for our golf balls or bicycles. Don't forget wearable technology like fitness trackers. What about engineering? Yes, we need that to design a more aerodynamic football or alter the shape of a tennis racket to create more of a sweet spot. But math and sports? Most emphatically, yes. How else could we track the stats of favorite players or create our own fantasy football team?Jennifer Swanson, author of Save the Crash-test Dummies and Astronaut-Aquanaut, has put together a fascinating look into how STEM affects all areas of sports from equipment design to league standings. Illustrations and diagrams show the difference between early football helmets and today's gear, why kicking a soccer ball up makes it travel farther, or NBA field goal percentages from various spots on the court. Informative sidebars explain carbon nanotubes and how to test your reaction time. There are even suggested activities like measuring your vertical leap or testing drag in water.Whether you know someone who is a sports enthusiast and would appreciate this look inside how it all works or a science lover who enjoys seeing concepts applied to everyday activities, this is the perfect book for middle grade readers of either sort. It will also make a great addition to science and STEM classes where teachers can pull pertinent examples to accompany lessons on gravity, friction, and other concepts.

This is such a great STEM read for sports-obsessed students. It's chock full of fun facts and actionable info. like how to improve your performance (biology!). I learned so much about tennis, my favorite sport, including technological advances in tennis rackets. Who knew they were once made of wood? This book can be read cover-to-cover or in little bites, reading about your favorite sports and sports topics.

Believe it or not, every sport involves science, from physics and biology to technology and math. With a fun conversational tone, graphics, fun experiments, and an examination of the strategic elements of each, this engaging book looks at a wide range of sports from baseball, swimming, wrestling, tennis, lacrosse, surfing, and gymnastics, as well as many others.

Great way to expose sports-loving kids to STEM concepts in a way that will resonate with them!

I am ALWAYS looking for sports books to hook my reluctant readers. The Secret Science of Sports does just that. It ties a love of sports with real-world science. The STEM concepts in this book get kids talking and excited about reading. Not only that but the range of sports allows there to be something for everyone. The way the book's writing, graphics, and experiments come together make it a must buy. It really is such a great STEM book that should be in every classroom and bookshelf at home.