Ace Your Sports Science Project: Great Science Fair Ideas

Children's Literature - Amy S. Hansen

Part of the "Ace Your Physics Science Project," the authors take apart some of the most basic moves in common sports and ask students to experiment with them. In the section called What Makes a Good Athlete, readers are asked to measure both the time it takes to run the bases and the distance one actually runs. The next experiment challenges the readers to experiment with different angles and find the fastest way to throw a ball from the outfield. This isn't another white-lab coat experiment book and is likely to appeal to a whole different crowd. The writers acknowledge that: "Perhaps you are reading this book because you are looking for an idea for a science fair project for school and you are interested in sports. Maybe you want to learn to play a new sport or become better at a sport you already play. This book will provide an opportunity for you to learn about a variety of sports...the chapters include experiments about baseball, basketball, football, golf, hockey, soccer and tennis." There are many suggestions on how to expand the experiments in the book into a science fair question. However, readers will need to be aware of the rules of their own science fairs. Some fairs do not allow experiments on vertebrates, even in safe sporting events. That does not diminish the fun of these projects, but may diminish the value for science fair ideas. Backmatter includes: appendix, list of further reading and index. Reviewer: Amy S. Hansen

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8–These three series offer a wealth of information and differ only in the topics they include. All begin with an introduction that discusses science-fair projects and the scientific method and lists safety tips. The texts consist of five chapters of themed experiments–for example, some of those in Animal Science Project are “Clever Lab and Field Studies” and “Studying Human Behavior.” The chapters introduce the concepts and the experiments that follow demonstrate them. Many entries conclude with ideas for science-fair projects; as in the publisher’s “Score! Sports Science Projects” series, they are indicated by a trophy symbol. Each experiment includes a materials list, steps to follow, questions to consider, and diagrams that clarify the directions. When something potentially dangerous is involved, an adult is listed as the first material in the list and a reminder is included in the experiment. Worthwhile purchases.