LA Galaxy...Science of Soccer

The LA Galaxy have had a soccer science program since 2014:

I wasn't able to put the video here, but here is the link:  https://youtu.be/zVFQyfoL15w

The LA Galaxy Science of Soccer presented by Konica Minolta is an exciting series of community programs and initiatives that teach STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in a fun and dynamic way through soccer. The curriculum includes brief lessons that use soccer demonstrations as hands-on inquiry based learning to spark interest in real-life applications of STEM knowledge. The goal is to translate the love of soccer into an appreciation, understanding and passion of the science and mathematics underlying the sport.

The LA Galaxy have partnered with Science of Sport, a non-profit organization, to develop the curriculum and align it with all current and future California standards like Common Core Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. The curriculum can be custom tailored to participating teachers and students in grades 1-12.

The LA Galaxy Science of Soccer schedules teacher camps, student camps and other engagements each semester during the school year and in the summer to teach the programs. Teachers are expected to take the curriculum back to their classrooms and are given all of the tools to implement the lesson plan at their school with their students. All teachers and students participating in the program receive a ticket to attend a LA Galaxy home match during the regular MLS season.

Examples of topics covered:

• The basic rules of the game, different player formations, dimensions of a soccer field
• How to dribble and pass the ball
• How to measure surface areas of various parts of feet used to kick and dribble a ball
• Test speed and accuracy in the context of Newton’s Laws of Motion
• Angles and possibilities associated with a penalty kick scenario
• Reaction time: speed, accuracy and control
• Aerodynamics – effects on a soccer ball moving through air: spin/curl, wind resistance, force, angle of trajectory
• Recording data
• Nutrition – relationship between healthy diet and athletic performance
• Muscle fatigue
• Heart rate

The LA Galaxy are proud to partner with the Angels and the Anaheim City School District who have received a $1 million, three-year grant from the California Department of Education to develop STEM.