all right how’s everybody doing today long day I’m glad you guys are keeping
long day I’m glad you guys are keeping
long day I’m glad you guys are keeping up the energy so first off I’d like to
up the energy so first off I’d like to
up the energy so first off I’d like to thank everyone over it for hosting this
thank everyone over it for hosting this
thank everyone over it for hosting this wonderful event and thank you all for
wonderful event and thank you all for
wonderful event and thank you all for coming in to hear what myself and
coming in to hear what myself and
coming in to hear what myself and everyone else has to say today um so
everyone else has to say today um so
everyone else has to say today um so just a little bit of background on
just a little bit of background on
just a little bit of background on myself so my name is John Dresden I’m a
myself so my name is John Dresden I’m a
myself so my name is John Dresden I’m a lecturer at the Rensselaer Polytechnic
lecturer at the Rensselaer Polytechnic
lecturer at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy New York and I’m also
Institute in Troy New York and I’m also
Institute in Troy New York and I’m also for the past 5 years I’ve been the stem
for the past 5 years I’ve been the stem
for the past 5 years I’ve been the stem director for 4th family incorporated
director for 4th family incorporated
director for 4th family incorporated which is a grassroots nonprofit based
which is a grassroots nonprofit based
which is a grassroots nonprofit based out of Albany New York so I know that we
out of Albany New York so I know that we
out of Albany New York so I know that we just met but I kind of have a confession
just met but I kind of have a confession
just met but I kind of have a confession to make which is strange for people who
to make which is strange for people who
to make which is strange for people who have their doctorate in biomedical
have their doctorate in biomedical
have their doctorate in biomedical engineering
engineering
engineering alright when I was a kid I really didn’t
alright when I was a kid I really didn’t
alright when I was a kid I really didn’t enjoy math or science so to be honest I
enjoy math or science so to be honest I
enjoy math or science so to be honest I was I was pretty good at it because I
was I was pretty good at it because I
was I was pretty good at it because I knew my parents would ground me if I
knew my parents would ground me if I
knew my parents would ground me if I didn’t get good grades but it wasn’t
didn’t get good grades but it wasn’t
didn’t get good grades but it wasn’t something that I really enjoyed so in my
something that I really enjoyed so in my
something that I really enjoyed so in my free time I didn’t really want to do
free time I didn’t really want to do
free time I didn’t really want to do robotics I wasn’t really into that and
robotics I wasn’t really into that and
robotics I wasn’t really into that and rather hang out my friends or play
rather hang out my friends or play
rather hang out my friends or play basketball so this sterling example of a
basketball so this sterling example of a
basketball so this sterling example of a 6/8 string bean all right I was 175
6/8 string bean all right I was 175
6/8 string bean all right I was 175 soaking wet all right so I’m once I’m
soaking wet all right so I’m once I’m
soaking wet all right so I’m once I’m like 250 right now at 6 8 so imagine me
like 250 right now at 6 8 so imagine me
like 250 right now at 6 8 so imagine me with a lot less weight all right so I
with a lot less weight all right so I
with a lot less weight all right so I got pushed around a little bit in
got pushed around a little bit in
got pushed around a little bit in basketball but the thing is that what I
basketball but the thing is that what I
basketball but the thing is that what I wanted to be able to do is I want to be
wanted to be able to do is I want to be
wanted to be able to do is I want to be able to succeed on the basketball court
able to succeed on the basketball court
able to succeed on the basketball court so one day I was at a basketball game
so one day I was at a basketball game
so one day I was at a basketball game and my team was gonna win if I could get
and my team was gonna win if I could get
and my team was gonna win if I could get a rebound so I tried to get the rebound
a rebound so I tried to get the rebound
a rebound so I tried to get the rebound I went up went for it and I got pushed
I went up went for it and I got pushed
I went up went for it and I got pushed right out of the way the other team got
right out of the way the other team got
right out of the way the other team got the ball they scored a layup and we lost
the ball they scored a layup and we lost
the ball they scored a layup and we lost so I was pretty upset about it say the
so I was pretty upset about it say the
so I was pretty upset about it say the least and right after the game I was
least and right after the game I was
least and right after the game I was still hot and sweaty my physics teacher
still hot and sweaty my physics teacher
still hot and sweaty my physics teacher came up to me and said John you weren’t
came up to me and said John you weren’t
came up to me and said John you weren’t paying attention in class and I said
paying attention in class and I said
paying attention in class and I said what are you talking about he goes if
what are you talking about he goes if
what are you talking about he goes if you were paying attention in class you
you were paying attention in class you
you were paying attention in class you would have gotten that rebound I’m like
would have gotten that rebound I’m like
would have gotten that rebound I’m like forget you I’m still frustrated annoyed
forget you I’m still frustrated annoyed
forget you I’m still frustrated annoyed yeah he goes John trust me come in after
yeah he goes John trust me come in after
yeah he goes John trust me come in after school tomorrow and we can go through it
school tomorrow and we can go through it
school tomorrow and we can go through it so this teacher so I went after school
so this teacher so I went after school
so this teacher so I went after school and I listened to him and this teacher
and I listened to him and this teacher
and I listened to him and this teacher actually showed
actually showed
actually showed me.how biomechanics is tied to physics
me.how biomechanics is tied to physics
me.how biomechanics is tied to physics and how mechanical advantage underpins
and how mechanical advantage underpins
and how mechanical advantage underpins everything within sports and all of a
everything within sports and all of a
everything within sports and all of a sudden I was like wow this is amazing I
sudden I was like wow this is amazing I
sudden I was like wow this is amazing I can’t believe that I didn’t understand
can’t believe that I didn’t understand
can’t believe that I didn’t understand that I could apply math and science into
that I could apply math and science into
that I could apply math and science into an activity that I really enjoyed so
an activity that I really enjoyed so
an activity that I really enjoyed so what I ended up doing is I ended up
what I ended up doing is I ended up
what I ended up doing is I ended up going to Geneseo where I studied physics
going to Geneseo where I studied physics
going to Geneseo where I studied physics in undergrad and I played four years of
in undergrad and I played four years of
in undergrad and I played four years of college basketball and I also had the
college basketball and I also had the
college basketball and I also had the opportunity to pursue my interest in
opportunity to pursue my interest in
opportunity to pursue my interest in biomechanics where I built my own
biomechanics where I built my own
biomechanics where I built my own primitive sports science lab as part of
primitive sports science lab as part of
primitive sports science lab as part of a senior junior senior project for
a senior junior senior project for
a senior junior senior project for physics and as a result I ended up going
physics and as a result I ended up going
physics and as a result I ended up going to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where I just finished up my doctorate in
where I just finished up my doctorate in
where I just finished up my doctorate in July so I’m pretty excited about that
July so I’m pretty excited about that
July so I’m pretty excited about that and I’m now a I’m now a member of the
and I’m now a I’m now a member of the
and I’m now a I’m now a member of the faculty as a lecturer where I teach
faculty as a lecturer where I teach
faculty as a lecturer where I teach introduction to engineering courses and
introduction to engineering courses and
introduction to engineering courses and get to do some engineering research so
get to do some engineering research so
get to do some engineering research so one of the things that I did when I
one of the things that I did when I
one of the things that I did when I first came back into Albany is one of my
first came back into Albany is one of my
first came back into Albany is one of my good friends from the from the Geneseo
good friends from the from the Geneseo
good friends from the from the Geneseo basketball team reached out to me so
basketball team reached out to me so
basketball team reached out to me so this is a gentleman by the name of John
this is a gentleman by the name of John
this is a gentleman by the name of John Scott I played basketball with him for
Scott I played basketball with him for
Scott I played basketball with him for one year and pretty much I moved back to
one year and pretty much I moved back to
one year and pretty much I moved back to the area and he said hey John I just
the area and he said hey John I just
the area and he said hey John I just started this program called forth family
started this program called forth family
started this program called forth family where we’re trying to show kids how they
where we’re trying to show kids how they
where we’re trying to show kids how they can use basketball to succeed both on
can use basketball to succeed both on
can use basketball to succeed both on and off the court so we’re looking for
and off the court so we’re looking for
and off the court so we’re looking for someone to tutor so to our kids and then
someone to tutor so to our kids and then
someone to tutor so to our kids and then also to to teach our big men how to get
also to to teach our big men how to get
also to to teach our big men how to get rebounds how to play etc etc etc and so
rebounds how to play etc etc etc and so
rebounds how to play etc etc etc and so I started coaching and tutoring and what
I started coaching and tutoring and what
I started coaching and tutoring and what I realized was the best way that I could
I realized was the best way that I could
I realized was the best way that I could coach the kids was to bring in my own
coach the kids was to bring in my own
coach the kids was to bring in my own analytical background and the best way
analytical background and the best way
analytical background and the best way to tutor and mentor the kids was to
to tutor and mentor the kids was to
to tutor and mentor the kids was to relate things to basketball so I started
relate things to basketball so I started
relate things to basketball so I started trying to do these things and during one
trying to do these things and during one
trying to do these things and during one of the after-school sessions we started
of the after-school sessions we started
of the after-school sessions we started talking about LeBron James or kind of
talking about LeBron James or kind of
talking about LeBron James or kind of shooting shooting something just talking
shooting shooting something just talking
shooting shooting something just talking back and forth all right and we started
back and forth all right and we started
back and forth all right and we started talking about LeBron James and one of
talking about LeBron James and one of
talking about LeBron James and one of the kids started asking me why can
the kids started asking me why can
the kids started asking me why can LeBron James dunk like he does like
LeBron James dunk like he does like
LeBron James dunk like he does like because I’m 6-8 to 50 LeBron James is
because I’m 6-8 to 50 LeBron James is
because I’m 6-8 to 50 LeBron James is 6-8 to 50 there’s a big difference
6-8 to 50 there’s a big difference
6-8 to 50 there’s a big difference between my jumping ability in his
between my jumping ability in his
between my jumping ability in his so what we ended up talking about is we
so what we ended up talking about is we
so what we ended up talking about is we started getting into and once again I’m
started getting into and once again I’m
started getting into and once again I’m kind of a nerd so I was up on the board
kind of a nerd so I was up on the board
kind of a nerd so I was up on the board and I was writing out all these things
and I was writing out all these things
and I was writing out all these things how your muscles work etc and I ended up
how your muscles work etc and I ended up
how your muscles work etc and I ended up putting on a tiny little clinic in
putting on a tiny little clinic in
putting on a tiny little clinic in muscle mechanics I almost at a graduate
muscle mechanics I almost at a graduate
muscle mechanics I almost at a graduate level and I was talking to these
level and I was talking to these
level and I was talking to these students and I realized I realized that
students and I realized I realized that
students and I realized I realized that they were paying attention you know they
they were paying attention you know they
they were paying attention you know they were paying attention
were paying attention
were paying attention I thought wow this is a this is a good
I thought wow this is a this is a good
I thought wow this is a this is a good lesson I didn’t realize that they’d
lesson I didn’t realize that they’d
lesson I didn’t realize that they’d really engage with that it wasn’t until
really engage with that it wasn’t until
really engage with that it wasn’t until the next week where I had two kids
the next week where I had two kids
the next week where I had two kids talking in the back of the classroom
talking in the back of the classroom
talking in the back of the classroom during my session and I was about to
during my session and I was about to
during my session and I was about to yell at him but I walked over to listen
yell at him but I walked over to listen
yell at him but I walked over to listen to what they were saying and I realized
to what they were saying and I realized
to what they were saying and I realized that one kid was explained to the other
that one kid was explained to the other
that one kid was explained to the other that something inside your muscles is
that something inside your muscles is
that something inside your muscles is climbing over each other and then that’s
climbing over each other and then that’s
climbing over each other and then that’s why bran can dunk like he does okay and
why bran can dunk like he does okay and
why bran can dunk like he does okay and as a graduate TA and working with
as a graduate TA and working with
as a graduate TA and working with college students on muslimah Kent like
college students on muslimah Kent like
college students on muslimah Kent like that’s a non-trivial thing to understand
that’s a non-trivial thing to understand
that’s a non-trivial thing to understand and the thing is that I know for a fact
and the thing is that I know for a fact
and the thing is that I know for a fact that both of these kids were
that both of these kids were
that both of these kids were spectacularly failing biology and yet
spectacularly failing biology and yet
spectacularly failing biology and yet they’re talking to each other about
they’re talking to each other about
they’re talking to each other about these advanced topics so why are these
these advanced topics so why are these
these advanced topics so why are these kids so engaged when we relate things to
kids so engaged when we relate things to
kids so engaged when we relate things to sports okay and what is that missing
sports okay and what is that missing
sports okay and what is that missing component because to be honest I’ve been
component because to be honest I’ve been
component because to be honest I’ve been eating living and breathing sports and
eating living and breathing sports and
eating living and breathing sports and science for the past ten years and these
science for the past ten years and these
science for the past ten years and these connections have become very very
connections have become very very
connections have become very very apparent to me so the thing is that why
apparent to me so the thing is that why
apparent to me so the thing is that why do I automatically understand that
do I automatically understand that
do I automatically understand that sports science is helpful for basketball
sports science is helpful for basketball
sports science is helpful for basketball and doing well in science and math could
and doing well in science and math could
and doing well in science and math could help me as a player and these kids can’t
help me as a player and these kids can’t
help me as a player and these kids can’t okay and honestly the thing that I
okay and honestly the thing that I
okay and honestly the thing that I realized was that I’ve been very
realized was that I’ve been very
realized was that I’ve been very privileged in the way that was brought
privileged in the way that was brought
privileged in the way that was brought up okay I came up in a loving two-parent
up okay I came up in a loving two-parent
up okay I came up in a loving two-parent household both my parents went to
household both my parents went to
household both my parents went to college so I had role models so I could
college so I had role models so I could
college so I had role models so I could look at and say if I want to do well I
look at and say if I want to do well I
look at and say if I want to do well I need to do well in school so once I I
need to do well in school so once I I
need to do well in school so once I I had the capacity to be able to do math
had the capacity to be able to do math
had the capacity to be able to do math and science because I was expected to
and science because I was expected to
and science because I was expected to and then at a later point I could pivot
and then at a later point I could pivot
and then at a later point I could pivot into the passion that I had so the
into the passion that I had so the
into the passion that I had so the question is how can we use this passion
question is how can we use this passion
question is how can we use this passion that kids have for sport
that kids have for sport
that kids have for sport and how could we sit there and get
and how could we sit there and get
and how could we sit there and get diverse kids into math and science
diverse kids into math and science
diverse kids into math and science careers so students future careers are
careers so students future careers are
careers so students future careers are influenced by their favorite pastimes
influenced by their favorite pastimes
influenced by their favorite pastimes so if you have a kid who really likes
so if you have a kid who really likes
so if you have a kid who really likes math and science okay or has fun
math and science okay or has fun
math and science okay or has fun watching BattleBots alright on TV or
watching BattleBots alright on TV or
watching BattleBots alright on TV or something like that alright it’s not
something like that alright it’s not
something like that alright it’s not that difficult to get them to sign up
that difficult to get them to sign up
that difficult to get them to sign up for after-school stem program okay if
for after-school stem program okay if
for after-school stem program okay if the kid’s parents are in the picture and
the kid’s parents are in the picture and
the kid’s parents are in the picture and they say hey you need to do well in your
they say hey you need to do well in your
they say hey you need to do well in your math and science classes maybe you
math and science classes maybe you
math and science classes maybe you should sign up for this Robotics Club
should sign up for this Robotics Club
should sign up for this Robotics Club hopefully the kid will stick around and
hopefully the kid will stick around and
hopefully the kid will stick around and then engage in those classes and the
then engage in those classes and the
then engage in those classes and the nice thing is that so this is something
nice thing is that so this is something
nice thing is that so this is something that they enjoy outside of school and
that they enjoy outside of school and
that they enjoy outside of school and they can turn this into a career alright
they can turn this into a career alright
they can turn this into a career alright a survey of FIRST Robotics participants
a survey of FIRST Robotics participants
a survey of FIRST Robotics participants revealed that 60% of people who are
revealed that 60% of people who are
revealed that 60% of people who are involved in after-school stem programs
involved in after-school stem programs
involved in after-school stem programs go on to have at least one career
go on to have at least one career
go on to have at least one career experience in stem ok on the other hand
experience in stem ok on the other hand
experience in stem ok on the other hand if you have a kid who really enjoys
if you have a kid who really enjoys
if you have a kid who really enjoys watching basketball or playing
watching basketball or playing
watching basketball or playing basketball all right they spend all
basketball all right they spend all
basketball all right they spend all their time thinking about basketball if
their time thinking about basketball if
their time thinking about basketball if you look at what they spend their free
you look at what they spend their free
you look at what they spend their free time on is their plan basketball
time on is their plan basketball
time on is their plan basketball watching basketball doing all these
watching basketball doing all these
watching basketball doing all these things so how can they go professional
things so how can they go professional
things so how can they go professional in their interest in basketball similar
in their interest in basketball similar
in their interest in basketball similar to the way that the kids in stem can go
to the way that the kids in stem can go
to the way that the kids in stem can go professional in stem well they’d go to
professional in stem well they’d go to
professional in stem well they’d go to the NBA or play overseas unfortunately
the NBA or play overseas unfortunately
the NBA or play overseas unfortunately out of the millions of high school
out of the millions of high school
out of the millions of high school students who play basketball only 0.3
students who play basketball only 0.3
students who play basketball only 0.3 percent of them make it to the NBA so I
percent of them make it to the NBA so I
percent of them make it to the NBA so I knew pretty early in my life that I
knew pretty early in my life that I
knew pretty early in my life that I probably wasn’t gonna go to the NBA so I
probably wasn’t gonna go to the NBA so I
probably wasn’t gonna go to the NBA so I was able to pivot into stem and I had
was able to pivot into stem and I had
was able to pivot into stem and I had sufficient resources and privilege in
sufficient resources and privilege in
sufficient resources and privilege in the way that I was brought up where I
the way that I was brought up where I
the way that I was brought up where I could make that transition however for a
could make that transition however for a
could make that transition however for a lot of these kids where ball is life ok
lot of these kids where ball is life ok
lot of these kids where ball is life ok there are systemic barriers to entry to
there are systemic barriers to entry to
there are systemic barriers to entry to the traditional stem pipeline so things
the traditional stem pipeline so things
the traditional stem pipeline so things that are very very trivial for example
that are very very trivial for example
that are very very trivial for example will host free stem clinics ok the kids
will host free stem clinics ok the kids
will host free stem clinics ok the kids that I’m working with they don’t have a
that I’m working with they don’t have a
that I’m working with they don’t have a ride ok they can’t reach these resources
ride ok they can’t reach these resources
ride ok they can’t reach these resources even though we really want to give it to
even though we really want to give it to
even though we really want to give it to them okay so what we need to do is we
them okay so what we need to do is we
them okay so what we need to do is we need to figure out how we can bridge
need to figure out how we can bridge
need to figure out how we can bridge this gap
this gap
this gap upon analysis I’ve realized that the
upon analysis I’ve realized that the
upon analysis I’ve realized that the pipelines for basketball and for stem
pipelines for basketball and for stem
pipelines for basketball and for stem have complementary strengths and
have complementary strengths and
have complementary strengths and weaknesses so the traditional stem
weaknesses so the traditional stem
weaknesses so the traditional stem pipeline has limited reach in some of
pipeline has limited reach in some of
pipeline has limited reach in some of these areas however they have an
these areas however they have an
these areas however they have an excellent career pathway on the other
excellent career pathway on the other
excellent career pathway on the other hand the youth basketball pipeline has
hand the youth basketball pipeline has
hand the youth basketball pipeline has huge reach ok millions of kids play high
huge reach ok millions of kids play high
huge reach ok millions of kids play high school sports and that doesn’t include
school sports and that doesn’t include
school sports and that doesn’t include the kids who love Steph Curry what love
the kids who love Steph Curry what love
the kids who love Steph Curry what love watching them play basketball love
watching them play basketball love
watching them play basketball love playing basketball with their friends
playing basketball with their friends
playing basketball with their friends alright love to Kay all right I had a
alright love to Kay all right I had a
alright love to Kay all right I had a kid in one of my programs who would just
kid in one of my programs who would just
kid in one of my programs who would just yell all the time to Kay all day okay
yell all the time to Kay all day okay
yell all the time to Kay all day okay like that’s the really popular
like that’s the really popular
like that’s the really popular basketball video game and so the thing
basketball video game and so the thing
basketball video game and so the thing is that they love it however there’s not
is that they love it however there’s not
is that they love it however there’s not a good way to transition them into
a good way to transition them into
a good way to transition them into careers and so the thing is that
careers and so the thing is that
careers and so the thing is that basketball has become a tech enterprise
basketball has become a tech enterprise
basketball has become a tech enterprise okay in the past decade analytics and
okay in the past decade analytics and
okay in the past decade analytics and sports science has revolutionized the
sports science has revolutionized the
sports science has revolutionized the National Basketball Association this can
National Basketball Association this can
National Basketball Association this can be seen from the installation of
be seen from the installation of
be seen from the installation of advanced tracking technologies such as
advanced tracking technologies such as
advanced tracking technologies such as sports viewer Noah in the rafters of NBA
sports viewer Noah in the rafters of NBA
sports viewer Noah in the rafters of NBA arenas to the development of high-level
arenas to the development of high-level
arenas to the development of high-level sports science labs like p3 where every
sports science labs like p3 where every
sports science labs like p3 where every single person who’s going to get drafted
single person who’s going to get drafted
single person who’s going to get drafted for the NBA Draft go there to train so
for the NBA Draft go there to train so
for the NBA Draft go there to train so that they can optimize their performance
that they can optimize their performance
that they can optimize their performance number so they get drafted higher and
number so they get drafted higher and
number so they get drafted higher and make more money and are more successful
make more money and are more successful
make more money and are more successful okay as a result the number of people in
okay as a result the number of people in
okay as a result the number of people in front office’s for the NBA who are
front office’s for the NBA who are
front office’s for the NBA who are dedicated to sports science analytics
dedicated to sports science analytics
dedicated to sports science analytics has had an exponential growth between
has had an exponential growth between
has had an exponential growth between 2008 and 2016 okay so the question is
2008 and 2016 okay so the question is
2008 and 2016 okay so the question is how can we utilize sports science
how can we utilize sports science
how can we utilize sports science analytics to broaden the reach of the
analytics to broaden the reach of the
analytics to broaden the reach of the stem pipeline to these previously
stem pipeline to these previously
stem pipeline to these previously excluded kids so how do we create an
excluded kids so how do we create an
excluded kids so how do we create an authentic yet accessible introduction to
authentic yet accessible introduction to
authentic yet accessible introduction to stem using sports analytics so the first
stem using sports analytics so the first
stem using sports analytics so the first thing is that we need to situate
thing is that we need to situate
thing is that we need to situate programs within existing youth
programs within existing youth
programs within existing youth basketball programs as a training tool
basketball programs as a training tool
basketball programs as a training tool okay we need to meet the kids where
okay we need to meet the kids where
okay we need to meet the kids where they’re at okay we need to go into the
they’re at okay we need to go into the
they’re at okay we need to go into the communities of practice that they’ve
communities of practice that they’ve
communities of practice that they’ve established and take advantage of those
established and take advantage of those
established and take advantage of those networks and capitalize on that to
networks and capitalize on that to
networks and capitalize on that to deliver this content and then second we
deliver this content and then second we
deliver this content and then second we need to provide youth players with
need to provide youth players with
need to provide youth players with accessible analytical tools so that they
accessible analytical tools so that they
accessible analytical tools so that they can explore and analyze their own
can explore and analyze their own
can explore and analyze their own performance and improve on it
performance and improve on it
performance and improve on it so one of the big things I didn’t like
so one of the big things I didn’t like
so one of the big things I didn’t like about math and science when I was
about math and science when I was
about math and science when I was growing up was the fact that I felt like
growing up was the fact that I felt like
growing up was the fact that I felt like I was just painting by numbers the
I was just painting by numbers the
I was just painting by numbers the teacher always knew what the answer was
teacher always knew what the answer was
teacher always knew what the answer was I wasn’t given room to explore okay so
I wasn’t given room to explore okay so
I wasn’t given room to explore okay so what we need to do is we need to be able
what we need to do is we need to be able
what we need to do is we need to be able to provide tools to these youth players
to provide tools to these youth players
to provide tools to these youth players so that they can act as scientists on
so that they can act as scientists on
so that they can act as scientists on the court and make their own connections
the court and make their own connections
the court and make their own connections so as I’ve said we can use basketball
so as I’ve said we can use basketball
so as I’ve said we can use basketball training as a venue for engagement in
training as a venue for engagement in
training as a venue for engagement in science and engineering so I’m a
science and engineering so I’m a
science and engineering so I’m a biomedical engineer I can make things
biomedical engineer I can make things
biomedical engineer I can make things that’s what engineers do we make things
that’s what engineers do we make things
that’s what engineers do we make things that work they’re not always pretty okay
that work they’re not always pretty okay
that work they’re not always pretty okay so what I did is along with
so what I did is along with
so what I did is along with collaborators at RPI is I’ve built a
collaborators at RPI is I’ve built a
collaborators at RPI is I’ve built a low-cost combine that we can have kids
low-cost combine that we can have kids
low-cost combine that we can have kids use so they can measure their own sports
use so they can measure their own sports
use so they can measure their own sports performance and once again we situate it
performance and once again we situate it
performance and once again we situate it within the community itself it’s right
within the community itself it’s right
within the community itself it’s right here you can see that the kids are in
here you can see that the kids are in
here you can see that the kids are in basketball jerseys because I literally
basketball jerseys because I literally
basketball jerseys because I literally brought this to a basketball practice at
brought this to a basketball practice at
brought this to a basketball practice at Albany High and you can see that we have
Albany High and you can see that we have
Albany High and you can see that we have one kid running the equipment and the
one kid running the equipment and the
one kid running the equipment and the other kids jumping so typically what
other kids jumping so typically what
other kids jumping so typically what I’ll do is I’ll collect will have
I’ll do is I’ll collect will have
I’ll do is I’ll collect will have everyone collect data and then I’ll make
everyone collect data and then I’ll make
everyone collect data and then I’ll make a graph like this where it reads
a graph like this where it reads
a graph like this where it reads vertical junk by position for men’s
vertical junk by position for men’s
vertical junk by position for men’s basketball at Albany High School so I
basketball at Albany High School so I
basketball at Albany High School so I compared the students by position and
compared the students by position and
compared the students by position and then also by JV and varsity so we
then also by JV and varsity so we
then also by JV and varsity so we collected data on everybody and if you
collected data on everybody and if you
collected data on everybody and if you notice the center’s had the lowest value
notice the center’s had the lowest value
notice the center’s had the lowest value for the JV team and they were getting a
for the JV team and they were getting a
for the JV team and they were getting a lot of grief for that all right so one
lot of grief for that all right so one
lot of grief for that all right so one of the JV centers had a higher vertical
of the JV centers had a higher vertical
of the JV centers had a higher vertical so he started complaining saying look
so he started complaining saying look
so he started complaining saying look like that is it my score like what is
like that is it my score like what is
like that is it my score like what is this line thing I said well that’s
this line thing I said well that’s
this line thing I said well that’s called an error bar says well what’s an
called an error bar says well what’s an
called an error bar says well what’s an error bar said well that’s a standard
error bar said well that’s a standard
error bar said well that’s a standard deviation and pretty much I explained
deviation and pretty much I explained
deviation and pretty much I explained that standard deviation is a
that standard deviation is a
that standard deviation is a representation of the amount of distance
representation of the amount of distance
representation of the amount of distance between all these different points for a
between all these different points for a
between all these different points for a single category so once he understood
single category so once he understood
single category so once he understood that he walked around practice and y’all
that he walked around practice and y’all
that he walked around practice and y’all have bums ah the reason why we have
have bums ah the reason why we have
have bums ah the reason why we have those error bars there is because I jump
those error bars there is because I jump
those error bars there is because I jump higher than everyone else so that isn’t
higher than everyone else so that isn’t
higher than everyone else so that isn’t my fault
my fault
my fault okay so the fact that these students are
okay so the fact that these students are
okay so the fact that these students are taking traditional stem content and
taking traditional stem content and
taking traditional stem content and using it to justify their performance is
using it to justify their performance is
using it to justify their performance is huge so what we’ve done I mentioned that
huge so what we’ve done I mentioned that
huge so what we’ve done I mentioned that we made an entire combine so in addition
we made an entire combine so in addition
we made an entire combine so in addition to just doing one-off clinics we also do
to just doing one-off clinics we also do
to just doing one-off clinics we also do camps so I had the pleasure to work with
camps so I had the pleasure to work with
camps so I had the pleasure to work with LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio
LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio
LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio Spurs two summers ago this summer I ran
Spurs two summers ago this summer I ran
Spurs two summers ago this summer I ran a basketball camp with Emmanuel mudiay
a basketball camp with Emmanuel mudiay
a basketball camp with Emmanuel mudiay of the Denver Nuggets and it’s been
of the Denver Nuggets and it’s been
of the Denver Nuggets and it’s been either in Albany or water valley so what
either in Albany or water valley so what
either in Albany or water valley so what we did is together me and my high school
we did is together me and my high school
we did is together me and my high school students from already high in a few
students from already high in a few
students from already high in a few other places we built the NBA Rookie
other places we built the NBA Rookie
other places we built the NBA Rookie combine using Arduinos and about a
combine using Arduinos and about a
combine using Arduinos and about a budget of $250 and what we did is we
budget of $250 and what we did is we
budget of $250 and what we did is we created a analytical package where
created a analytical package where
created a analytical package where students receive their all the campers
students receive their all the campers
students receive their all the campers receive their own sports science
receive their own sports science
receive their own sports science evaluations using low-cost equipment and
evaluations using low-cost equipment and
evaluations using low-cost equipment and they all got their sports science
they all got their sports science
they all got their sports science evaluations back and we’re able to
evaluations back and we’re able to
evaluations back and we’re able to discuss with them like art this is what
discuss with them like art this is what
discuss with them like art this is what you need to work on if you want to build
you need to work on if you want to build
you need to work on if you want to build this yourself here’s the plans etc and
this yourself here’s the plans etc and
this yourself here’s the plans etc and the students were very engaged so I just
the students were very engaged so I just
the students were very engaged so I just talked about science and engineering so
talked about science and engineering so
talked about science and engineering so we can also teach math using these
we can also teach math using these
we can also teach math using these approaches so I gotta say one of the
approaches so I gotta say one of the
approaches so I gotta say one of the biggest aha moments of my life when it
biggest aha moments of my life when it
biggest aha moments of my life when it came to using analytics within sports
came to using analytics within sports
came to using analytics within sports was when I saw these graphs by Kirk
was when I saw these graphs by Kirk
was when I saw these graphs by Kirk Goldsberry so this graph more or less
Goldsberry so this graph more or less
Goldsberry so this graph more or less shows you spatially on a basketball
shows you spatially on a basketball
shows you spatially on a basketball court where it’s effective to shoot from
court where it’s effective to shoot from
court where it’s effective to shoot from where it’s efficient to shoot from so
where it’s efficient to shoot from so
where it’s efficient to shoot from so from here any basketball player can take
from here any basketball player can take
from here any basketball player can take a look on this and it’s intuitive you
a look on this and it’s intuitive you
a look on this and it’s intuitive you can say alright the best place places to
can say alright the best place places to
can say alright the best place places to shoot for basketball are near the rim as
shoot for basketball are near the rim as
shoot for basketball are near the rim as evidenced by that hot island in the
evidenced by that hot island in the
evidenced by that hot island in the middle and then also from the
middle and then also from the
middle and then also from the three-point line
three-point line
three-point line so as soon as I saw these I started
so as soon as I saw these I started
so as soon as I saw these I started thinking to myself how can I do this
thinking to myself how can I do this
thinking to myself how can I do this myself how can I do this with my kids
myself how can I do this with my kids
myself how can I do this with my kids okay so the one issue is that the way
okay so the one issue is that the way
okay so the one issue is that the way that you collect this spatial shooting
that you collect this spatial shooting
that you collect this spatial shooting data is typically with very expensive
data is typically with very expensive
data is typically with very expensive camera systems which are out of reach
camera systems which are out of reach
camera systems which are out of reach for many high school programs that I
for many high school programs that I
for many high school programs that I know of alright so what we did is I
know of alright so what we did is I
know of alright so what we did is I collaborated with some computer
collaborated with some computer
collaborated with some computer scientists at Rensselaer and some other
scientists at Rensselaer and some other
scientists at Rensselaer and some other and a few other people and we actually
and a few other people and we actually
and a few other people and we actually built a computer program that allows
built a computer program that allows
built a computer program that allows students to
students to
students to select their own shooting data with a
select their own shooting data with a
select their own shooting data with a piece of with a pen and paper and then
piece of with a pen and paper and then
piece of with a pen and paper and then they’re able to enter it into an online
they’re able to enter it into an online
they’re able to enter it into an online program that we made and they can make
program that we made and they can make
program that we made and they can make their own shot charts so they can
their own shot charts so they can
their own shot charts so they can understand their own performance so here
understand their own performance so here
understand their own performance so here on this graph you can see that they make
on this graph you can see that they make
on this graph you can see that they make the most shots close to the hoop and
the most shots close to the hoop and
the most shots close to the hoop and then here this is a shooting efficiency
then here this is a shooting efficiency
then here this is a shooting efficiency point so you can see that the most
point so you can see that the most
point so you can see that the most efficient places to score from are very
efficient places to score from are very
efficient places to score from are very close to the basket and by the
close to the basket and by the
close to the basket and by the three-point line and once again the
three-point line and once again the
three-point line and once again the students engage with this so what we can
students engage with this so what we can
students engage with this so what we can do is we can see that so for example
do is we can see that so for example
do is we can see that so for example when I did this program well I’ve done
when I did this program well I’ve done
when I did this program well I’ve done this program a lot but one of the times
this program a lot but one of the times
this program a lot but one of the times I did the program I printed this out
I did the program I printed this out
I did the program I printed this out handed it to a post player and the post
handed it to a post player and the post
handed it to a post player and the post players out there and said coach you got
players out there and said coach you got
players out there and said coach you got let me shoot threes he goes no I’m not
let me shoot threes he goes no I’m not
let me shoot threes he goes no I’m not gonna let you shoot threes and they
gonna let you shoot threes and they
gonna let you shoot threes and they player handed him to his data sheet said
player handed him to his data sheet said
player handed him to his data sheet said coach I score one point two points per
coach I score one point two points per
coach I score one point two points per shot when I take a three-pointer the
shot when I take a three-pointer the
shot when I take a three-pointer the coach said I can’t argue with that data
coach said I can’t argue with that data
coach said I can’t argue with that data okay
okay
okay so the thing is that the these tools are
so the thing is that the these tools are
so the thing is that the these tools are allowing students to act as their own
allowing students to act as their own
allowing students to act as their own advocates on the court even and they can
advocates on the court even and they can
advocates on the court even and they can use it to discuss game strategy etc so
use it to discuss game strategy etc so
use it to discuss game strategy etc so the question is I I’ve been very
the question is I I’ve been very
the question is I I’ve been very anecdotal so far so I’m a scientist I’m
anecdotal so far so I’m a scientist I’m
anecdotal so far so I’m a scientist I’m a researcher so one of the big things I
a researcher so one of the big things I
a researcher so one of the big things I want to build you own about quantify the
want to build you own about quantify the
want to build you own about quantify the results so on the upper left graph you
results so on the upper left graph you
results so on the upper left graph you can see the question was do you think
can see the question was do you think
can see the question was do you think you can use the topics you learn in math
you can use the topics you learn in math
you can use the topics you learn in math in science class to make you a better
in science class to make you a better
in science class to make you a better basketball player so the red shift or
basketball player so the red shift or
basketball player so the red shift or the red the red histogram represents
the red the red histogram represents
the red the red histogram represents their responses prior and the blue
their responses prior and the blue
their responses prior and the blue represents afterwards you can see that
represents afterwards you can see that
represents afterwards you can see that there was a huge increase in the self
there was a huge increase in the self
there was a huge increase in the self perception of the students in the though
perception of the students in the though
perception of the students in the though self-reported values that they said that
self-reported values that they said that
self-reported values that they said that they firmly believe that they can use
they firmly believe that they can use
they firmly believe that they can use math and science that they learned in
math and science that they learned in
math and science that they learned in classes to improve his basketball
classes to improve his basketball
classes to improve his basketball players we also asked them do you enjoy
players we also asked them do you enjoy
players we also asked them do you enjoy using math and science outside of school
using math and science outside of school
using math and science outside of school originally the average score was about a
originally the average score was about a
originally the average score was about a three and after participating it
three and after participating it
three and after participating it increased up to about a three point
increased up to about a three point
increased up to about a three point three point four and you can see there’s
three point four and you can see there’s
three point four and you can see there’s a dramatic shift to the right in terms
a dramatic shift to the right in terms
a dramatic shift to the right in terms of the overall distribution and then
of the overall distribution and then
of the overall distribution and then finally we asked them how interested are
finally we asked them how interested are
finally we asked them how interested are you in studying math or science or
you in studying math or science or
you in studying math or science or engineering in college and there was a
engineering in college and there was a
engineering in college and there was a statistically significant increase among
statistically significant increase among
statistically significant increase among students and one of the big things is
students and one of the big things is
students and one of the big things is that once again these students are not
that once again these students are not
that once again these students are not self selected for stem enrichment these
self selected for stem enrichment these
self selected for stem enrichment these kids just want to play ball alright so
kids just want to play ball alright so
kids just want to play ball alright so I’m very very proud of what we’ve been
I’m very very proud of what we’ve been
I’m very very proud of what we’ve been will do with our programs so we’ve put
will do with our programs so we’ve put
will do with our programs so we’ve put our student athletes in the position
our student athletes in the position
our student athletes in the position where they can act as experts so this is
where they can act as experts so this is
where they can act as experts so this is one of our students running a program
one of our students running a program
one of our students running a program for a bunch of for a bunch of basketball
for a bunch of for a bunch of basketball
for a bunch of for a bunch of basketball coaches down in Brooklyn this is one of
coaches down in Brooklyn this is one of
coaches down in Brooklyn this is one of our students who’s running a program at
our students who’s running a program at
our students who’s running a program at Pine Hills Elementary where he’s
Pine Hills Elementary where he’s
Pine Hills Elementary where he’s explaining how the scientific equipment
explaining how the scientific equipment
explaining how the scientific equipment works this is another student who’s
works this is another student who’s
works this is another student who’s demonstrating how the user interface
demonstrating how the user interface
demonstrating how the user interface works and then finally these students
works and then finally these students
works and then finally these students have actually bought into the social
have actually bought into the social
have actually bought into the social justice message and the research behind
justice message and the research behind
justice message and the research behind it where they actually wrote a abstract
it where they actually wrote a abstract
it where they actually wrote a abstract to an I Triple E education conference
to an I Triple E education conference
to an I Triple E education conference and they presented their work down in
and they presented their work down in
and they presented their work down in Princeton and they’re presenting
Princeton and they’re presenting
Princeton and they’re presenting themselves as youth stem directors and
themselves as youth stem directors and
themselves as youth stem directors and the big thing is that all of these
the big thing is that all of these
the big thing is that all of these players are captains of their team’s
players are captains of their team’s
players are captains of their team’s studying stem in college and playing
studying stem in college and playing
studying stem in college and playing some sort of sport okay so the thing is
some sort of sport okay so the thing is
some sort of sport okay so the thing is that this is not your typical
that this is not your typical
that this is not your typical stereotypical or this is not your
stereotypical or this is not your
stereotypical or this is not your stereotypical group of people who are
stereotypical group of people who are
stereotypical group of people who are doing stuff so the big thing that I want
doing stuff so the big thing that I want
doing stuff so the big thing that I want to leave you with is that sports that
to leave you with is that sports that
to leave you with is that sports that has become a driver of social change if
has become a driver of social change if
has become a driver of social change if you look at the places that athletes
you look at the places that athletes
you look at the places that athletes have taken a stand
have taken a stand
have taken a stand you have you have crisp sorry you have
you have you have crisp sorry you have
you have you have crisp sorry you have LeBron James
LeBron James
LeBron James cp3 Melo and Dwyane Wade sorry Dwyane
cp3 Melo and Dwyane Wade sorry Dwyane
cp3 Melo and Dwyane Wade sorry Dwyane Wade make that powerful stand for social
Wade make that powerful stand for social
Wade make that powerful stand for social justice at the ESPYs you have Colin
justice at the ESPYs you have Colin
justice at the ESPYs you have Colin Kaepernick doing excellent work in the
Kaepernick doing excellent work in the
Kaepernick doing excellent work in the community and the knee of LeBron James
community and the knee of LeBron James
community and the knee of LeBron James doing marketing campaigns based on
doing marketing campaigns based on
doing marketing campaigns based on equality okay the big thing is that
equality okay the big thing is that
equality okay the big thing is that right now we can actually tap into these
right now we can actually tap into these
right now we can actually tap into these athletes thirst for being advocates for
athletes thirst for being advocates for
athletes thirst for being advocates for social justice and we can use it to
social justice and we can use it to
social justice and we can use it to improve STEM education so the big thing
improve STEM education so the big thing
improve STEM education so the big thing is that stem is everywhere all right
is that stem is everywhere all right
is that stem is everywhere all right it’s in political campaigns it’s in
it’s in political campaigns it’s in
it’s in political campaigns it’s in hospitals it’s in sports and it’s in all
hospitals it’s in sports and it’s in all
hospitals it’s in sports and it’s in all those other things so the thing is that
those other things so the thing is that
those other things so the thing is that what we need to do as stem professionals
what we need to do as stem professionals
what we need to do as stem professionals is we need to find a group of kids that
is we need to find a group of kids that
is we need to find a group of kids that we share interest with
we share interest with
we share interest with and show them how they can use stem to
and show them how they can use stem to
and show them how they can use stem to improve what they love to do alright
improve what they love to do alright
improve what they love to do alright thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
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