The Perfect Match: A Grand Slam with Advantage Cleveland
Who says science and sports don't mix? STEM Playbook had the ultimate chance to challenge that myth during an unforgettable day with Advantage Cleveland, a dedicated program serving Cleveland youth through tennis, wellness, fitness, literacy, STEM, and creative expression. At Cleveland State University's Tennis Pavilion, we welcomed about 20 students from three Cleveland Metropolitan School District schools for a day designed to bridge the gap between sports and science.
We began with a simple question: "Do STEM and sports go together?" At first, students were skeptical that there might be any relation. By breaking down each element of STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—and connecting it directly to tennis, their perspective quickly shifted.
Tennis, we explained, is physics in motion. Every serve demonstrates projectile motion, every volley illustrates Newton's laws, and every backhand relies on scientific principles that players intuitively apply without recognizing the science behind them. Students started to understand STEM connections happening in real time on the court.
Science in Action: Real-World Application
Students experienced STEM's real-world relevance at every turn. While measuring heart rates with pulse oximeters, they discovered the same infrared technology that powers their TV remotes at home.
Our homemade smart racket sensor, built from everyday components, demonstrated how accessible engineering can quantify athletic performance. Students used the prototype to test their serving speeds, creating an organic competition while learning about velocity measurement.
The experience showed how engineering solutions don't require expensive equipment—sometimes creative problem-solving and basic components can yield valuable data collection tools.
After graphing their physical responses to tennis drills, students met three visiting STEM professionals who showed how these same skills translate to careers in sports science, biomechanics, and equipment design. Students collected trading cards featuring local STEM All-Stars, including the professionals in attendance—tangible reminders of the pathways open to them.
Where Sports and Science Converge
The partnership between STEM Playbook and Advantage Cleveland illustrates how athletics and academics naturally complement each other. For communities with historically limited access to both quality STEM education and tennis instruction, this collaboration opens dual pathways to opportunity.
By linking physical activity with scientific inquiry, we create learning environments where students engage multiple skills simultaneously—exactly as they'll need to in their future careers. We help them envision more comprehensive identities: tennis players who excel at data analysis, or engineers who understand the physics of athletic performance.
In a world where technical literacy and physical wellness are equally important, partnerships like this one between STEM Playbook and Advantage Cleveland offer a model for holistic education that prepares students for success on and off the court.
Connect with us to discover how your existing sports programs can incorporate STEM education.
