Affordable Summer Skating & Hockey on Synthetic Ice!

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 $10.55 per 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 $9.65 per 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:

Graphs & Data for Science Lab: Multi-Volume Series

• The Science of Ice Skating 
• Volume 1: Translational Motion
• Volume 2: Rotational Motion (Curves)
• Volume 3: Rotational Motion (Spins)
• Volume 4: Jumps
• Volume 5: Ice Hockey
• Volume 6: Biophysics
• Volume 7: Video Analysis
• Volume 8: Reference Manual
• The Science of Hockey
• Volume 1: Force, Acceleration, & Video Analysis of Pucks & Balls
• Volume 2: Force & Acceleration of Sticks, plus Biophysics
• Volume 3: Video Analysis of Ice, Field, & Street Hockey Sticks

Anthologies of 28 Graphs

• The Science of Figure Skating
• The Science of Ice Hockey
• The Science of Winter Olympic Sports

In addition, the following books are suitable for younger children learning geometry:

Geometry Workbooks

• The Geometry of Figure Skating 
• The Geometry of Winter Olympic Sports

Additional Information

Online Catalog from Schottenbauer Publishing

Lesson Plans & Free Samples

YouTube Video Previews

PInterest

Vendors

Amazon & Worldwide Affiliates

Barnes & Noble

Books-a-Million

CreateSpace

CreateSpace Wholesale

MusicaNeo Digial Sheet Music

Zazzle Art, Posters, & Memorabilia

Sport Science Anthologies of 28 Graphs Each!

Sport science anthologies from Schottenbauer Publishing offer convenient selections of 28 graphs. Excerpted from science lab manuals from the same author, these books provide graphs demonstrating a variety of scientific concepts and mathematical functions. As such, these books are suitable for inclusion in traditional classrooms for projects in writing, science, math, and physical education, from fourth grade through high school, plus some college and university.

Of particular relevance across traditional classes is The Science of Physical Fitness. This anthology provides 28 graphs of common physical fitness activities, including:

• Aerobic Exercise 
• Exercise Equipment 
• Weightlifting 

Graphs contain a selection of physics data including acceleration, velocity, trajectory, and force, as well as biophysics data such as breathing, joint angle motion/positions, blood pressure and heart rate, and the electrical activity of the heart (EKG) and muscles (EMG).

Additional anthology topics include Summer Olympic Sports, Winter Olympic Sports, and more! Specific ideas for incorporating graphs into education are available in the blog Graphs in Education.

Additional Information

Online Catalog from Schottenbauer Publishing

Lesson Plans and Free Samples

YouTube Video Previews

PInterest



Blogs

Science and Math Education Blog

Sport Science Education Blog

Graphs in Education

Vendors

Amazon & Worldwide Affiliates

Barnes & Noble

Books-a-Million

CreateSpace

CreateSpace Wholesale

Zazzle Art, Posters, & Memorabilia

Integrating Graphs into Traditional Classes

Teachers who want to include graphs into a traditional science, math, literature (science writing), music, health, and/or physical education lessons can find ample resources in lab manuals published by Schottenbauer Publishing. Over 100 different collections of graphs and anthologies are available, with most translated into both English and German. 

Science lab manuals by Schottenbauer Publishing fall into the following general categories:

• Sports
• Transportation
• Construction
• Environment
• Music
• Entertainment/Toys
• General Physics

Also available are a set of anthologies, each consisting of 28 graphs selected from the above categories. Each anthology is focused on a specific theme, and contains a variety of types of graphs.

In order to highlight the selections of graphs available, four lab series are described in more detail below: ball sports, hockey, figure skating, and athletic training. These series provide excellent examples of sport science data which can be integrated easily into traditional classes:

The Science of Ball Sports: Volumes 1-8

• Over 30 Sport Balls Included
• Multiple Forms of Motion (x, y, time)
• Bouncing
• Rolling
• Projectile Motion
• Various Surfaces
• Wood
• Linoleum
• Carpet
• Concrete
• Foam
• Force Plate
• Air Pressure Comparison for Inflatable Balls
• Basketball
• Soccer Ball
• Volleyball
• Comparison Balls
• Golf Balls
• Official
• Foam
• Plastic
• Baseballs
• Official
• Safety
• Plastic
• Street Hockey
• High Density
• Low Density

The Science of Hockey: Volume 1

• Motion (x, y, time)
• Multiple Objects for Comparison
• Field Hockey Ball
• Street Hockey Balls
• High Density
• Low Density
• Ice Hockey Pucks
• Official
• Green Biscuit
• Air Hockey Pucks
• With Air
• Without Air
• Multiple Surfaces
• Carpet
• Wood
• Ice
• Synthetic Ice
• Air Table
• Impact Forces
• Instantaneous Force (Collision)
• Continuous Force (Pushing)
• Collisions
• Wood Wall
• Hockey Stick

The Science of Ice Skating: Volume 1 (Extended Edition)

• Position, Velocity, Acceleration, & Force Data
• Multiple Surfaces
• Ice
• Synthetic Ice
• Wet
• Dry
• Multiple Skates
• Bob Skates
• Child Double-Runner Skates
• Hockey Skates
• Youth
• Adult
• Figure Skates
• 2 Sizes
• 2 Types of Blades
• Blade Preparation
• Sharpened
• Unsharpened
• Weights in Skates
• None
• 2.5 pounds
• Hockey Puck Motion
• Forces of Vertical Motions
• Stepping
• Jumping
• Forces of Skate Support for Ankles
• Ice Melting

The Science of Athletic Training: Volumes 1, 2, & 3

• Multiple Common Sport Actions Analyzed
• Walking
• Jogging
• Running
• Jumping
• Push-Ups
• Sit-Ups
• Jumping Jacks
• Jumping Rope
• Volume 1: Force & Acceleration
• Volume 2: Biophysics
• Joint Angles (Range of Motion)
• Electrical Signals of Heart (EKG) & Muscles (EMG)
• Breathing Patterns & Lung Capacity (Spirometer)
• Blood Pressure & Heart Rate (Pulse)
• Volume 3: Motion (x, y, time)

These graphs can be used as part of virtually unlimited lesson plans, including:

Possible Lesson Plans

• Graph Reading 
• Identifying Minimum & Maximum
• Determining Graph Shape
• Redrawing the Graph on a Different Scale
• Mathematical Modeling 
• Writing the Graph's Equation
• Transforming the Graph's Equation
• Theoretical Analysis
• Describing the Scientific & Mathematical Concepts Related to Graph(s) 
• Describing the Scientific & Mathematical Theories Related to Graph(s)
• Identifying the Theoretically Ideal Graph & Comparing to Individual Graph(s)
• Understanding Measurement Error & Other Types of Error
• Comparison & Contrast of Specific Graphs
• Science Writing
• Describing a Graph in Words
• Written Comparison & Contrast of Graphs
• Describing Scientific Concepts & Theories Relevant to Graphs
• Developing Theories Based on Graphs
• Re-writing Graph Titles in Scientific Format
• Practicing Different Styles of Writing about Graphs (e.g., Journalistic, Scientific, Practical/Colloquial)
• Exploratory Research
• Data-Mining 
• Developing Theories Based on Graphs
• Open-Ended Questions (e.g., Look at this book of graphs and write about a topic of interest.)
• Estimation Skills
• Understanding Range & Order of Magnitude
• Developing Theoretical Comparisons from Commonly Available Data (e.g., Here is a graph of someone throwing a shot put. What would a graph look like if it were thrown by a child? By an Olympian in 1950? By an Olympian today?)

A full listing of graph topics, indexed by book series and data type, are available in a Teacher Resource Guide from the publisher. Additional information is also available at ScienceandMathEducation.Blogspot.com and SportScienceEducation.Blogspot.com.

Books from Schottenbauer Publishing are available from Amazon & Worldwide Affiliates, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, CreateSpace (Wholesale & Retail), Powell's Books, and other internet retailers.

New Sport Science Lab Manuals: Track & Field, Gymnastics, Hockey, & Ice Skating!

Four new series of sport science lab manuals are now available from M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D.! Selections focus on the physics and biophysics of track and field, gymnastics, hockey, and ice skating. These series contain data which can be used flexibly to supplement classes from 7th grade physical science through high school classes in physics, sports, physical science (PE), health, and biology, as well as introductory classes at the college and university levels.  Graphs and data contained in these books are also appropriate for home school, and for tutoring and independent study.  

These lab manuals provide answers to the question: "What occurs during typical introductory sports activities?" 

The books contain data on basic physics concepts such as force, trajectory, velocity, and acceleration.  Plus, special volumes contain data on joint angles and motion, electrical activity of the heart (EKG) and muscles (EMG), breathing rate, lung volume, blood pressure, and pulse. Additional lab manuals by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D. contain graphs and data on topics such as athletic training, exercise equipment, ball sports, snow sports, yoga, Pilates, and ballet, plus topics relevant to popular sporting activities (flying, boating, and wheel-based activities such as bicycling, skateboarding, rollerskating, and rollerblading). Lab manuals on fencing, archery, and shooting sports are also upcoming. 

The science lab manuals by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D. are unique. Rather than waiting for specialized classes at the university to discover sport science, students can now enjoy "insider information" at a low price. The books provide graphs and data with brief captions, allowing room for discussion of central concepts. However, a word of warning is in order: Readers should not expect to excel based solely on these science lab manuals. Learning sports well takes time, as well as coaching which is not provided by the series. Sports enthusiasts will require additional information and coaching to develop the skills necessary to excel at any of these sports. Readers should always take safety precautions whenever participating in sports!

All data in these science lab manuals were collected by the author, on the author.  To prepare for making these science lab manuals, M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D. used books and Internet resources. Without traditional learning boundaries, this made possible some interesting options, such as using low-cost HDPE plastic for an ice rink rather than synthetic or real ice.  Not all sporting activities are new to this author; even as a former national award-winning science student and musician, M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D. participated in a wide range of sports activities as a student in elementary and high school (basic gymnastics, track & field, ball sports, weightlifting, & more), as well as waterskiing (slalom and trick skis), equestrian, and archery as a child and youth, and figure skating as a young adult. 

The science lab manuals are originally in English, and are also available in German translation. All books are available in color, and where possible, the books are also available in low-cost black and white edition. Most retail prices range from $8 to $24, depending on the length of the individual book and color options.

Free Samples
Schottenbauer Publishing provides free samples with excerpts from 2 lab manuals.


Previews
Previews can be found at the following locations:

• YouTube Preview Videos

• Science Education Brief Book Summaries

• Amazon Free Preview Pages

Vendors
Discount Retail:  Amazon
Retail & Wholesale:  CreateSpace

Celebrating the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi!

Schottenbauer Publishing is celebrating the 2014 Winter Olympics with a flurry of publications on the science of sports!  By the end of February, the following science lab manuals containing graphs and data are expected, in both English and German translation:

• The Science of Snow Sports, Volumes 1-2

• Glide, Spin, & Jump!:  The Science of Ice Skating, Volumes 2-8

• Stretch, Hold, Move, & Leap!  The Science of Yoga, Pilates, & Ballet, Volumes 2-3

• Lift, Step, & Cycle:  The Science of Exercise Equipment, Volumes 2-3

• Walk, Jog, & Run!  The Science of Athletic Training, Volumes 2-3

• The Science of Hockey, Volumes 1-2 [Field, Street, & Ice Hockey]

• The Science of Gymnastics, Volumes 1-2

In the book series listed above, the first volumes contain data on force, velocity, acceleration, gravity, and friction.  The second volumes include biometric data, including measurement of joint angles with a goniometer, electrical activity of the heart (EKG) and muscles (EMG), blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing rate, and lung capacity. Third volumes in these series, where available, include graphical dot analyses of movements during common motions in each sport.

Short summaries of each book are provided are provided on the Schottenbauer Publishing Blog under Science Education.  Selected free samples are available from Schottenbauer Publishing, and previews are available on Amazon and YouTube.

Other science lab manuals also expected in February include:

• Soar!  The Science of Flight, Volume 2  

• How Do You Play That Thingamabob?:  The Science of Music Performance, Volume 2

• The Science of Marbles: Volume 2

• The Science of Toys: Volumes 1 & 2 (Blocks & Dominoes)

• Gravity, Springs, and Collisions: Graphs from Classical Physics Experiments for Independent Study & Homeschool, Volume 2

• Electricity and Magnetism: Graphs for Independent Study & Homeschool, Volume 1

• Heat, Energy, & Lightbulbs: The Science of Energy Efficiency, Volume 3 (Alternative Energy)

Complementing the science lab manual series, "The Geometry of Winter Olympic Sports" and "The Geometry of Figure Skating" are available from the same vendors as the science lab manuals. These books are part of a larger series which also include books on the geometry of gymnastics, yoga, and ballet.


Vendor Information
Retail & Wholesale: CreateSpace
Discount Retail: Amazon

Celebrating the Geometry of Winter Olympic Sports with Blue Dude!

With the Winter Olympics just around the corner, Blue Dude's adventures in geometry continue to expand! Now, students around the globe can celebrate the geometry of Winter Olympic sports with Blue Dude! 

"The Geometry of Winter Olympic Sports: Workbook" was published on December 15, 2013, along with its German translation, "Die Geometrie der Olympischen Wintersport." In these books, students can measure the angles created as Blue Dude demonstrates Alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsleigh, cross country skiing, figure skating, freestyle skiing, ice hockey, luge, Nordic combined, speed skating, skeleton, ski jumping, and snowboard! These books can be integrated into traditional classes in either math or sports, or used for independent study or as a supplement for homeschool. This Geometry series from Schottenbauer Publishing is available On-Demand from CreateSpace, CreateSpace Direct Wholesale, and Amazon. 

The series includes workbooks on the geometry of the following topics, with additional topics arriving in 2014:

• Winter Olympic Sports
• Figure Skating
• Gymnastics
• Ballet
• Yoga

Fans can watch Blue Dude ice skate on YouTube.  Blue Dude is also featured in the science lab manual series by M. Schottenbauer, including books on the science of ice skating, yoga, Pilates, ballet, athletic training, exercise equipment, and more!

Announcing a New Science Lab Manual Series!

Schottenbauer Publishing is introducing a new series of science lab manuals for grades 7 through university.  The lab manuals contain graphs and data pertaining to exciting everyday topics, including sports, transportation, construction, environment, music, and general physics.

Lab manuals are available through CreateSpace, CreateSpace Direct Wholesale, and Amazon for low prices starting at $10.  Each lab manual is available in both English and German translation.

Currently available and upcoming titles are listed below under the following headings:

• Sports
• Transportation
• Construction
• Environment
• Music
• Entertainment
• General Physics

Titles

Sports

Bounce, Roll, & Fly!  The Science of Balls, Economy Edition & Volumes 1-8

Walk, Jog, & Run!  The Science of Athletic Training, Volumes 1-3

Lift, Step, & Cycle:  The Science of Exercise Equipment, Volumes 1-3 

Stretch, Hold, Move, & Leap!  The Science of Yoga, Pilates, & Ballet, Volumes 1-3

Glide, Spin, & Jump!:  The Science of Ice Skating, Volumes 1-8

The Science of Snow Sports, Volumes 1 & 2 

The Science of Hockey, Volumes 1-3

The Science of Gymnastics, Volumes 1-3 

The Science of Field & Track, Volumes 1-3

The Science of Archery & Shooting Sports, Volumes 1-2

The Science of Fencing 

Transportation

Soar!  The Science of Flight, Volumes 1-2

Rotate, Slip, & Stop!  The Science of the Wheel, Volumes 1-3

The Science of Vehicular Motion, Volumes 1-3

Choo! Choo! Chugga, Chugga, Chugga!: The Science of Trains, Volumes 1-3

The Science of Floating & Boating, Volumes 1-3

Construction 

Hammer, Nail, & Screw: The Science of Home Construction, Volumes 1 & 2

Heat, Energy, & Light Bulbs! The Science of Energy Efficiency, Volumes 1-3

Environment

Fluid Dynamics & The Science of Natural Waterways, Volume 1 

Music

Where Does Sound Come From? Volumes 1-4

  

How Do You Play That Thingamabob?:  The Science of Music Performance, Vols .1 & 2

Entertainment

The Science of Marbles: Volumes 1 & 2

The Science of Toys, Volumes 1 & 2


General Physics

Gravity, Springs, and Collisions: Graphs from Classical Physics Experiments for Independent Study & Homeschool, Volumes 1-2

Electricity and Magnetism: Graphs from Physics Experiments for Independent Study & Homeschool, Volumes 1-3

Free Samples

Free samples are available for download from the Schottenbauer Publishing website:

• Where Does Sound Come From? [Selections]

• Glide, Spin, & Jump!: The Science of Ice Skating [Selections]

Previews

Amazon features free preview pages for most lab manuals.  Selected previews are available from YouTube.  Summaries of each book are provided under Science Education.

Vendors

Retail & Wholesale

CreateSpace

Discount Retail

Amazon