Contact: Annette Pontillo (970) 472-3996

Learn The Science Behind Sports At Discovery Science Center

January 9, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

How fast is your fastball? Do different floor surfaces affect your performance? How do you make a perfect bounce pass? How do Olympic Athletes use science to enhance their training? These questions and many more are posed in the new traveling exhibition visiting the Discovery Science Center. "Team Up! Explore Science & Sports" is an exciting new hands-on exhibit that will give visitors an in-depth look at the many scientific principles necessary in athletics.

The Discovery Center Museum of Rockford, IL and the Family Museum of Arts and Science of Bettendorf, IA have collaborated to develop "Team Up! Explore Science & Sports." This exhibit will visit Discovery Science Center beginning January 21, 2005. Children, families and groups alike are invited to check out the fun and fascination that is involved in becoming a winning athlete. Visitors will have opportunities to test their own skills in such sports as basketball, football, baseball, tennis, soccer and even extreme sports like snowboarding. At the same time guests will be amazed and educated at the level of science that is involved in sports. Geometry, physics, force and friction will be explained to children in a way that is intriguing and relative to sports.

Funding was provided through a TEAMS II grant by the National Science Foundation, with additional support provided by the Scott County Regional Authority, The Riverboat Development Authority and local sponsors. "Team UP! Explore Science & Sports" is sure to bring fun, fascination and fact to everyone who accepts the challenges it poses. For further information on this exhibit and all the programs at Discovery Science Center, call 970-472-3990. "Team Up! Explore Science & Sports", see it starting Jan. 21th at Discovery Science Center.