Spring into Sport with Play Smart!

Spring is in the air! A season of new beginnings, rebirth …. and exercise! Why not spring into sport with Play Smart, where you’ll get active, have fun and learn about science. Guaranteed to help you ace in P.E.,  science and possibly be a future contender of the Olympics.

Enjoy!

image courtesy of syndeticsThe science of cricket.

“How you ever wondered how to score a glorious goal make a perfect pass or hit a winning wicket By looking at angles forces distances and mass this series will teach you how. From hitting and kicking to running and jumping we will explore a variety of sports and the science behind them giving you all you need to know to Play Smart.” (Amazon).

image courtesy of syndeticsThe science of tennis.

“How is a tennis player is able to hit the ball and have control over it? Questions such as this are answered in this exciting look at the science behind tennis. Readers learn how to execute certain serves, such as a forehand serve and backhand serve, using a deeper understanding of physics. Detailed diagrams explain the science behind what happens before and after the tennis ball is hit with the racket. This creative guide to science curriculum topics includes graphic organizers, a thorough glossary, and delightful, full-color photographs that depict the thrilling intersection of science and sports.” (Catalogue).

image courtesy of syndeticsThe science of swimming.

“In swimming, there are multiple scientific concepts at play, such as density, gravity, momentum, and buoyancy. Readers learn about these concepts and more with this engaging guide to the science behind swimming. Useful diagrams display how to execute the perfect push-off from the wall of a pool, how to swim successful strokes, and how to do a cannonball. Informative fact boxes, helpful graphic organizers, and full-color photographs provide additional information. Readers will be thrilled by visual examples of science concepts in action. This high-interest approach to science curriculum topics will resonate with young readers.” (Catalogue).

image courtesy of syndeticsThe science of football.

“How you ever wondered how to score a glorious goal, make a perfect pass, or hit a winning wicket? By looking at angles, forces, distances and mass, this series will teach you how.” (Catalogue).

image courtesy of sydneticsThe science of athletics.

“There are lots of athletic events. They include running, throwing different objects and jumping in different ways. Are you ready to learn all about science behind athletics?” (Catalogue).

 

Swimming events at the Olympic Games

The swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro are scheduled to take place from 6 to 13 August at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium. The open-water marathon will be held on 15 and 16 August in Fort Copacabana.

Olympic SwimmingA breath-taking sport (literally!), swimming has been in the Olympic Games since Athens 1896. Men and women participate in 16 events, including relays and individual competitions in four strokes – freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke. Swimmers must complete a set distance inside the pool, in some cases using any of the above styles, in the shortest possible time

The swimming pool at the Rio Olympics is divided into eight competition lanes, each 2.5m wide.

Most events start from starting blocks, except for backstroke, where the swimmers start from inside the pool. Swimmers must not dive in before the starting pistol is fired – if this happens, a false start is declared and the swimmer at fault is disqualified.

At the Rio Olympics there are 789 athletes from 173 different countries competing in 32 swimming events. You can find out who’s competing from New Zealand at the NZ Olympics website.

Did you know: The pool at the Rio Olympics actually consists of two pools? One for the competition events, and another for warming up. The whole huge building is temporary – it’s designed to be dismantled after the Olympics Games have finished.

 

School yourself like a fish about swimming! Here’s some awesome books from our library collection: