March Madness

With March Madness is just a day away, I'd like to pass along a couple of seasonally appropriate sport science videos that you might be able to incorporate into a science or math lesson.

ESPN's Sport Science analyzes two prominent features of basketball: Three Point Shooting and Distraction.

Three Point Shooting uses Ray Allen as an example of phenomenal three point shooting skills and the development of the perfect shot.

Distraction illustrates whether or not all of those waving, screaming fans behind a basketball hoop actually impacts the player's free throw success.

To solve the YouTube issue- both videos available here

Still no lesson on the "Science of Picking the Winner!" :)

Disaster Simulation -STOP THE DISASTERS

This morning's earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan provides an opportunity to incorporate current world news into a science lesson. Here is a fun resource for teaching about earthquakes and tsunamis( and other potential disasters)
Stop Disasters is a game designed for students to learn about natural disasters, disaster prevention, and city design. The game is sponsored and created by ISDR the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. This group brings many organizations, universities, institutions together for a common objective: reducing the number of dead and injured by disasters triggered by natural hazards. They say of their game:" The on-line game aims at teaching children how to build safer villages and cities against disasters. Children will learn how the location and the construction materials of houses can make a difference when disasters strike and how early warning systems, evacuation plans and education can save lives. Children are the future architects, mayors, doctors, and parents of the world of tomorrow, if they know what to do to reduce the impact of disasters, they will create a safer world."


There are five game scenarios that students can play: tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and wildfires. The scenarios are set in geographically accurate contexts of Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Caribbean. The Information tab provides a wealth of information and teacher resources on the 5 disasters. The game overview gives students their goals: building and housing, a budget and limits of acceptable destruction as well as the time allotted.

The game would be really nice on a SMARTboard as a whole class project. It's interactivity allows the students to create, warn and save their "population". I suggest that you play it first to see all of the options available. Enjoy!