Learning STEM From Basketball: Why Does a Basketball Bounce? And Other Amazing Answers for Kids!
Table of Contents Introduction Swish ix Chapter One The Spectacular Science of the Sport Why does a basketball bounce 1 Why do players jump when they shoot 3 What is hang time 5 What’s muscle memory 7 How does gravity affect a pass 9 Chapter Two Tremendous Technology Tidbits When were electronic scoreboards invented 11 What’s a smart basketball 12 How does technology make basketball more fun for fans 15 Why are there cameras in the rafters of NBA arenas 17 How do referees use technology 19
Chapter Three Engineering Awesome Equipment What are basketballs made of 21 What’s a breakaway rim 23 Why does a basketball rim have a net 25 Why do basketball courts have wood floors 27 How have basketball shoes changed over the years 29 Chapter Four Math Mysteries Solved What’s the best angle for a shot 31 Are all basketball courts the same size 33 What statistics do basketball players use 34 Why is a shot clock 24 seconds long 37 How much money do pro basketball players earn 39 Glossary 41 Books and Websites for Further Reading 43 About the Author 44 Endnotes 45
Introduction Swish City parks country schoolyards college gymnasiums neighborhood neighborhood driveways it’s hard to travel very far without seeing a basketball hoop People everywhere shoot hoops for fun for exercise with a team or to spend time with friends Basketball is the only major sport that was invented completely in the United States of America 1 James Naismith was a physical education teacher at the Young Men’s Christian Association YMCA Training School now Springfield College in Massachusetts In December 1891 Naismith was in charge of a class of 18 restless students who enjoyed outdoor sports such as football and lacrosse Naismith’s job was to come up with an indoor game that would keep the students busy and entertained during the winter months When he nailed two peach baskets to opposite ends of the gym balcony divided his students into two teams and gave them a soccer ball the game of basketball was born 2 A lively game of basketball is science technology engineering engineering and math STEM in action STEM concepts can be found in the physics behind the bouncing of the ball the workings of the electronic scoreboard the engineering of a better sneaker and the math behind a shot clock ix
