2 Version 3 January 9, 2020 © Science of Sport Ricardo Valerdi, Ph.D. Science of Sport [email protected] www.sciencesport.org You may not reproduce, store in or introduce into a retrieval system, or transmit, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), any part of this publication without the prior written permission of the publisher, Science of Sport. Scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book through the Internet or by any other means without the written permission of Science of Sport is illegal and punishable by law. Developed by Contributors Dave Chamberlain Daren Heaton Mekael Wesley-Rosa Meghan Marriott Sponsored by 3 Mavericks Science of Basketball Overview Summary The Dallas Mavericks Science of Basketball provides a mechanism for elementary and middle school students to improve their academic performance. Our goal is to translate the love of basketball into an appreciation, understanding, and passion of the science and mathematics underlying the sport. Through this approach, we aim to empower students who may be underperforming academically by relating core curriculum topics to their athletic strengths, capabilities, and interests. By demonstrating the natural connection between basketball, science, and mathematics, the students are encouraged to define and pursue better life choices, including the continuation of their education and even attending college. Participation in the Mavericks Science of Basketball program has the potential to improve academic achievement, provide a path to college, elevate socioeconomic status, and make Dallas an even better place to live. Objectives The Dallas Mavericks Science of Basketball program can be implemented either as: (1) an after school program delivered by volunteers (e.g., coaches, scientists, engineers) in partnership with teachers and parents, or (2) a supplement to classroom activities in elementary schools or middle schools. The focus on young students is motivated by the fact that this age group can still be influenced to make academic choices that will help them transition more successfully from primary to secondary education. In support of this goal, there are four objectives that drive the scope of the program. Objective 1: Increase Student Awareness of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Fields as a Future Education and Career Option In this same spirit, the Dallas Mavericks Science of Basketball program gives students the ability to learn and apply basic academic concepts through hands-on application on the court. We strive to not only expose students to STEM fields, but to help them understand, visualize, and integrate the connection between basketball, science, and mathematics through a variety of learning styles (i.e., visual, kinesthetic, auditory). These hands-on experiences encourage continued involvement and enrollment in math and science classes that will promote academic and career pursuits in related fields. 4 Objective 2: Motivate Students to Excel Despite Obstacles In addition to the academic objectives of the program, a parallel objective is to motivate students to excel despite social, economic, and cultural obstacles (either real or imaginary) that may prevent them from advancing their education. Objective 3: Provide a Measurable Opportunity for Individual Transformation We strive to provide a life-changing transformative experience for students in elementary school and middle school. Many of the targeted students could be the first in their family to pursue a college education. As such, participation in the program provides an ideal opportunity to encourage an educational path that might be unimaginable or perceived as impossible. A specific objective is to measure the impact of the program on students’ academic performance and life choices. This is accomplished by assessing each student’s math and science comprehension levels at the beginning of the program, at the end of the program, and six months after the program. We also interview the students, their teachers, and their families to determine other intangible impacts resulting from their participation in the program. Objective 4: Establish a Framework for Sustainable Change In order to reinforce the lessons learned at the Dallas Mavericks Science of Basketball program and maximize the likelihood of improved academic achievement, each participant is encouraged to find a mentor. The mentor engages the student in dialogue about academic and personal achievement facilitated through participation in the program. 5 Mavericks Science of Basketball Kit Items Classroom materials are organized in kits to demonstrate the corresponding basketball concepts in the context of the Math, Science, and Physical Education Standards. Pro Hoops Basketball Basketballs Basketball Slingshots 25 Foot Tape Measure Pulse Oximeter Whistle Stopwatch Basketball Clipboard Air Pump with Gauge Agility Cones Speed Parachute Painters Tape Growth Mindset Classroom Award Water Bottle Pencils Stickers Broad Jump Mat 7 Table of Contents Lesson 1 - Jersey Numbers Scholar athletes determine whether the jersey numbers of Mavericks players are prime, composite, or neither, and determine the prime factorization of the composite numbers. (Math 5.4.A, 6.7.A) Lesson 2 - Predict the Attendance Scholar athletes predict the average attendance of Mavericks home games. (Math 5.2.C, 5.3.H, 6.12.C; Science 6.2.E) Lesson 3 - Playing Time Scholar athletes add fractions with unlike denominators using playing times of Mavericks players, and use a number line to visually divide an NBA game length into fractional timeframes. (Math 5.3.H, 5.3.I, 5.3.K, 6.4.F; PE 5.7.A, 6.6.A, 6.7.C) Lesson 4 - All-Time Best Free Throw Shooters Scholar athletes compute and analyze free throw percentages of the all-time most accurate free throw shooters. (Math 6.3.E, 6.4.E, 6.4.G, G.5.A, 6.5.B) Lesson 5 - Shooting Percentages Scholar athletes calculate the shooting percentages of Mavericks players, then calculate their own shooting percentages, from different distances. (Math 6.4.E, 6.4.F, 6.4.G, 6.5.B; Science 5.2.A, 6.2.D; PE 5.1.C, 5.1.K, 5.2.A, 6.1.F) Lesson 6 - Average Points Per Game Scholar athletes make calculations based on points, games played, and points per game. (Math 5.3.C, 6.3.E, 6.5.A) Lesson 7 - Geometry of a Basketball Court Scholar athletes calculate the perimeter and area using dimensions of an NBA basketball court, and outline a basketball court in a classroom using proportional reasoning. (Math 5.4.H, 5.5, 5.7, 6.4.B, 6.4.H, 6.5.A, 6.8.D) Lesson 8 - Basketball Air Pressure Scholar athletes measure the effect that changes in air pressure have on the bounce of a basketball. (Math 5.9.B, 5.9.C; Science 5.2.C, 5.6.D, 6.2.B, 6.2.D, 6.2.E, 6.4.A, 6.8.A, 6.11.B) Lesson 9 - Height, Weight, and Wingspan Scholar athletes create a scatterplot based on the height and weight of Mavericks players, then create a scatterplot based on scholar athletes’ heights vs. wingspans. (Math 5.9.B, 5.9.C, 6.12.C, 6.12.D; Science 5.2.C, 5.10.B) Lesson 10 - Nutrition for Peak Performance Scholar athletes will learn the basic food groups and the relationship between a healthy diet and athletic performance. Students also learn how to read food labels and identify daily values for various food components such as fat, cholesterol, carbohydrates, fiber, sodium, protein, etc. (Science 5.3.B; 8 PE 5.4.F, 6.4.F) Lesson 11 - Heart Rate Scholar athletes measure and compare their resting and exercise-related heart rates. (Math 5.9.A, 5.9.C, 6.4.B, 6.5.A, 6.12.B, 6.12.C, 6.12.D; Science 5.4, 6.2.A, 6.2.B, 6.2.D, 6.2.E, 6.3.A, 6.4.A) Lesson 12 - Plus/Minus Statistic Scholar athletes rank order basketball players by their Box Plus/Minus (BPM). (Math 6.2.C, 6.3.C, 6.3.D; Science 5.2.G) Lesson 13 - NBA Western Conference Teams Scholar athletes analyze data involving the 15 NBA Western Conference teams, their city populations, and the most number of wins for each team since the 2012-13 season. (Math 5.9, 6.12; Science 6.2.E) Lesson 14 - NBA Player Salaries Scholar athletes calculate the approximate net salary of Mavericks players, given their gross salaries. (Math 5.10.A, 5.10.B, 6.14.H; Science 6.2.D) Lesson 15 - Design a Basketball Arena Scholar athletes learn about NBA teams, their arenas, and design their own arena. (Math 6.4.H, 6.5.A; Science 5.1.B) Lesson 16 - Resistance Scholar athletes will use the running parachute to measure the impact of air resistance on running speed. (PE 6.3.D) Lesson 17 - Hydration Scholar athletes explore the elements of hydration and identify hydration needs for athletes. (PE 6.4.F) Lesson 18 - Running Forward vs. Running Backward Scholar athletes compare their speed of running forward versus running backward. (PE 6.12.A) Lesson 19 - Broad Jump Scholar athletes will learn about the broad jump and conversion between units of measurement. (PE 6.12.A) Lesson 20 - STEM Occupations Scholar athletes explore different STEM job occupations in sports and the knowledge, skills, and work activities associated with each. 9 Website References Dallas Mavericks Science of Basketball Web Page https://www.mavs.com/community/education-and-recognition/science-of-basketball/ Lesson 1 - Jersey Numbers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-3Wewnil3Y Video (10:06): “Best NBA Players Ever By Jersey Number (#1-30)” https://www.mavs.com/team/roster/ List of Mavericks players and jersey numbers (click “View Player” for more info about that player) Lesson 2 - Predict the Attendance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8It_RQOzWQ