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Summer skating and hockey can be affordable on synthetic ice, for a tiny fraction of the cost of a real ice rink! But when investigating the types of synthetic ice, the news is even better: some synthetic ice costs even less than traditional flooring!
Consider the following comparison prices, taken recently from a major USA retail home improvement company: Carpet: $0.38 to $10.55per square foot Ceramic Tile: $0.79 to $3.00 per square foot Laminate Flooring: $0.99 to $2.99 per square foot Hardwood Flooring: $3.79 to $7.50 per square foot Marble Tile: $4.00 to $9.65per square foot
Now, consider the cost of synthetic ice: Major USA Brand: $16.00 per square foot Although this cost seems quite large upfront, it is actually not as exorbitant as the cost of a real rink, which requires expensive ongoing refrigeration expenses. But the news is better when examining the low-cost alternative to synthetic ice, purchased directly from a plastic company! HDPE Plastic from USA (3/16" Thickness): $2.00 per square foot Now, consider the following higher-quality solution: Ultra-HDPE Direct from China: $1.20 per square foot, Including Rink Sideboards Note that these cost estimates have been made in 2014 and 2015, and may vary over time and with respect to the size of the order. Shipping costs may also vary due to destination and other considerations. The next question on the mind of potential consumers pertains to the quality of skating on these surfaces. The author, investigating the quality of an 8 foot square HDPE surface, found it suitable for hockey practice, and some figure skating. A YouTube Video Playlist, Skating Science Demos, includes samples of skating on the surface.
Additional information on the science of ice skating, including both hockey and figure skating, can be found on the blog, Ice Skating Science. Additional information on the science of ice skating are available in a free pamphlet from the publisher's webpage. The following books from Schottenbauer Publishing contain graphs and data pertaining to the science of ice skating, figure skating, and hockey:
"The Geometry of Gardens," a workbook for late elementary grade students, offers 30 full-color pictures for practicing geometry skills. These diagrams of gardens and landscaping allow students to use a protractor to measure angles and use a ruler to calculate the area of geometrical shapes. Students can also practice making proportional calculations on diagrams pertaining to scale. This book is available in multiple options from Amazon. It can be purchased as a Kindle e-book for only $4. Amazon also offers two plans for reading the book for free! With a Kindle Unlimited subscription for $9.99 per month, readers gain free access to this book and 600,000 other e-books. Currently, Amazon is offering a free 30-day trial to KindleUnlimited! Another option is to borrow the book for free with an Amazon Prime subscription at $99 per year. "The Geometry of Gardens" is also available in print. CreateSpace offers the print edition at a retail price of $12, with a discount for wholesale only. Amazon usually offers the book at a discount of approximately 10%, for $10.80. This book is part of a series of geometry workbooks by the same author. Other selections include sports, home construction, and architecture. Additional information about the series is available in this blog under Math Education and at the Schottenbauer Publishing website under Education:Math.
Several new workbooks from Schottenbauer Publishing provide a refreshing set of worksheets for practicing geometry skills.
"The Geometry of Gardens" celebrates summer with a unique set of teaching diagrams. Leading from simple geometric shapes to fascinating landscaping and unusual garden plots, this books provides a range of skill practice in geometry. Students can measure angles in the garden plots, calculate area, and calculate proportions pertaining to real-life scale.
"The Geometry of Architecture" contains a variety of architectural drawings for the practice of geometry. Topics include houses, apartments, recreational buildings, agricultural facilities, commercial buildings, office buildings, educational buildings, and bridges. Students can measure angles in the architectural structures, calculate area, and calculate proportions pertaining to real-life scale.
"The Geometry of Home Construction" provides practice measuring the angles found in homes. Topics include roofs, dormers, roof trusses, windows, masonry, ladders, stairs, and carpentry joints. Students can measure angles in the homes and building components, calculate area, and calculate proportions pertaining to real-life scale. All three geometry books are available in both English and German translation. These can be purchased as both printed books and Kindle e-books from Amazon. They are also available from CreateSpace Wholesale and other online vendors. Additional information is available on the Schottenbauer Publishing website.
