Michigan Tech Mind Trekkers To Show Off At NBA All-Star Game
HOUGHTON (WWJ) -- Basketball fans in New Orleans for the 2014 NBA All-Star Game will also have the chance to learn about the science of basketball, thanks to the Michigan Technological University Mind Trekkers.
Fans of all ages can join the Mind Trekkers for hands-on activities that illustrate the science of basketball at the NBA All-Star Jam Session, February 13-16.
The Jam Session includes four days of community activities leading up to the All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 16.
Mind Trekkers is a hands-on science education show featuring volunteer students and staff from Michigan Tech. They perform interactive, high-energy science and engineering activities at science festivals and expos
nationwide.
The NBA All-Star Jam Session will take place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13-16.
Cody Kangas, associate director of Michigan Tech's Center for Pre-College Outreach and five Michigan Tech students will present a number of engaging exhibits showcasing a variety of scientific principles found throughout the game of basketball. The activities will include topics such as biomechanics, biofeedback, acceleration due to gravity and the parabolic flight path.
"There is so much science involved in the sport of basketball, from anaerobic performance to shoe design," Kangas said. "We get to show them how cool this game is through a different lens, the lens of science."
"We're all about igniting the passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)," said Steve Patchin, director of the Center for Pre-College Outreach at Michigan Tech. "We show kids what looks like magic, and then we explain the science behind the magic."