Sarah Hendrickson Jumping Back In
Source: ESPN
An American athlete has rushed through the rehabilitation of her injured knee so she can compete in the first Olympic women’s ski jumping competition.
Sports
Have Sports Teams Brought Down America’s Schools?
Source: The New Yorker
Why are American students falling behind those of most other developed nations? The author of this blog entry argues that one important reason is the popularity of our high school athletic programs.
Swift Water Rescue
Source: Desert Rescue Research
Nature not only has the power to stir human emotions—it also has the power to kill us. This website details the dangers hidden in a beautiful river and how to avoid them.
UK Teen Wins Mongol Derby, World’s Longest Horse Race
Source: The Weather Channel
There are adventures, and there are extremely tough adventures. Learn the details of a grueling, 600-plus-mile wilderness race and the 19-year-old who became the youngest to win it so far.
Soccer Helping Young Refugees Find Footing in U.S.
Source: CNN
Refugees to the United States left their home countries under duress. This article and short video describe a program in California that uses soccer to help refugee children heal from their past and adapt to a new culture.
Cool Jobs: Sports Science
Source: Science News for Students
It’s rare to make a living from playing a sport, but that doesn’t mean an interest in athletics can’t help you get a job. This article features scientists whose work involves helping athletes.
Need for Speed?
Source: C/net (CBS)
Did you know that electromagnetic technology makes roller coaster rides scarier than ever before? Or that pilots one day will rely on that same technology to launch jets from aircraft carriers? Visit this site to learn about big changes in the world of roller coasters.
Women’s Athletics a Battle for Respect
Source: CNN
Though women have been breaking gender barriers for decades, the playing fields still aren’t level. Read about Lisa Leslie’s fight to gain support for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and other women’s professional sports.
The Team: Better Together
Source: Search for Common Ground
A television project that targets countries grappling with a serious conflict, The Team uses a fictional, soccer-related drama to help people consider resolutions and come to mutual understandings. The program has been widely successful because it is produced locally, with people who truly understand the conflict in the area.
African-American Girl Blazing a Trail Through Chess
Source: CNN
Read or listen to this story about 17-year-old Rochelle Ballantyne, who is about to become the first ever African-American female chess master. Balancing chess with volunteering in after-school programs, helping out at home, and applying to colleges, Ballantyne works hard for everything she’s earned.