{"product_id":"super-gear-isbn-9781580897204","title":"Super Gear","description":"\u003cb\u003eA close-up look at sports and nanotechnology, the cutting-edge science that manipulates objects at the atomic level.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow are the sports played by Michael Phelps, Serena Williams, Michelle Wie, and Usain Bolt related? Nanotechnology! A rapidly growing scientific field, nanotechnology is used to create high-tech swimsuits, tennis rackets, golf clubs, running shoes, and more. It is changing the face of sports as we know it. Cutting-edge science; high-performance sportsScience teacher and writer Swanson tells the story behind nanotechnology's introduction and impact on sports. Swanson defines her subject as \"the science of things at the nanoscale....Nano- means ‘one-billionth,' so a nanometer is one-billionth of a meter\" before going on to explore how nanotechnologists are proceeding from superfibers to discover still more inventive ways to apply the technology to fabrics and equipment. She hasn't found a really comfortable fit between her audience and her writing in this effort. She asks readers to field concepts such as molecular structure and the refractive qualities of nanoparticles on the dispersion of light, and she also belts out \"Now that's tiny!\" or \"We're talking about some pretty small stuff!\" The two don't jibe. Nor do her introductions to the chapters on various nanotech uses square with the material coming later in the chapter. \"From swimming to biking to running, the fastest person to finish is the winner,\" she writes at the beginning of the chapter on \"super suits\" before going on to discuss \"silicon nanofilaments\" with \"microscopic spikes.\" Swanson is splendid at explaining how nanotechnology works, and boxed asides help readers conduct experiments on drag, surface area, and such. But she can also go wrong. \"There is no prize for being the best drafter.\" The best drafters are in the best position to win, which they then often do. Ask Apolo Ohno. Plenty of good science sunk by tone and blunders.\u003cbr\u003e- \u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003eThis title provides a fascinating insight into the developing world of  nanotechnology applications in sports. The opening chapter outlines  concepts of molecular bonding, including an illustration of the  crystalline structure of ice. The text then segues into a lucid  explanation of the very different forces at work in extremely small  carbon nanoparticles. Subsequent chapters examine changes wrought by  nanotechnology in particular sports: football helmets that absorb more  energy and could protect against concussion, shoes and track surfaces  meant to improve running speed and reduce injury, golf clubs and tennis  racquets that are stronger and lighter, and swimsuits designed in  conjunction with NASA intended to reduce drag. The sports connections  are tied to standout athletes, including swimmers Alia Atkinson and  Michael Phelps, golfers Michelle Wie and Phil Mickelson, speed skater  Shani Davis, and tennis champion Serena Williams. Sidebars and simple  drawings illustrate important concepts in physical science, especially  lift, turbulence, and drag. One \"Super Fact\" sidebar shows how a  single-walled carbon nanotube is narrower than a human hair in the same  proportion as the hair is to a typical house. A hitch is that the  science is so new that some of the technology is unproven. A sidebar on  Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt concludes that the effect of his nanotech  shoes on his speed is unknown. VERDICT A highly engaging introduction to  an exciting aspect of cutting-edge, real-world science for STEM  collections.\u003cbr\u003e- \u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eJennifer Swanson\u003c\/b\u003e is the award winning author of over 25 nonfiction and fiction books for  children. Her books in the “How Things Work” series by The Child’s World  were named to the 2012 Booklist’s Top 10 Books for Youth. Top reviews  include a starred review in \u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e, and recommended reviews from \u003ci\u003e School Librarians Workshop\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003ci\u003e Library Media Connection\u003c\/i\u003e, and a Nerdy Book  Club award. Jennifer's passion for science resonates in in all her books  but especially, BRAIN GAMES (NGKids) which received a Eureka! Honor  Award from the California Reading Association and SUPER GEAR:  \u003ci\u003eNanotechnology and Sports Team Up \u003c\/i\u003e which was named both a  Best STEM book of 2017 and an Outstanding Trade Book 2017 by the  National Science Teacher Association. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida.Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps adjusts the hood of\u003cbr\u003ehis parka and pulls it closer in an attempt to shut out the noise\u003cbr\u003efrom the crowd. He knows the hardest part of swimming is the\u003cbr\u003ewaiting. He goes over his swim in his mind, reviewing every stroke,\u003cbr\u003eevery turn, and every breath. His attention is entirely focused on\u003cbr\u003ethe swim ahead of him. The last thing he is worried about is his\u003cbr\u003eswimsuit. Michael knows that the special science used to create\u003cbr\u003ehis suit will help him speed through the water.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSerena Williams rocks from side to side, reflexes on edge. The\u003cbr\u003etennis ball hurtles toward her. Whack! She slams it back across the\u003cbr\u003enet and flips her racket around in her hand, ready for another volley.\u003cbr\u003eSerena is confident and focused. She doesn’t even think about\u003cbr\u003ethe science that was used to make her racket lighter, stronger, and\u003cbr\u003emore efficient.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMichelle Wie steps up to the tee. She cups her hand over her\u003cbr\u003eeyes and stares down the fairway, spying her target: a tiny spot on\u003cbr\u003ethe grass more than two hundred yards away. Directing her\u003cbr\u003ethoughts to the golf ball in front of her, she adjusts her stance.\u003cbr\u003eShe takes a deep breath, pulls the club back, and swings. Crack!\u003cbr\u003eThe ball sails through the air, heading toward the hole. Confidently,\u003cbr\u003eMichelle leans over and plucks the tee from the ground. She strides\u003cbr\u003etoward her ball, not once thinking about the science used to create\u003cbr\u003eher club.","brand":"Charlesbridge","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46300753690853,"sku":"NP9781580897204","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781580897204.jpg?v=1767737553","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/super-gear-isbn-9781580897204","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}