title: Superhero physiology: the case for Captain America.
abstract: Using pop icons in the science classroom represents a creative way to engage often-distracted students in a relevant and, perhaps more importantly, fun way. When the pop icon is as universally known as Captain America, the pedagogical stage is set. However, when the movies can also be employed to link dramatic references to the science concepts at hand, we may have a very powerful tool by which linkages between fiction and science can be forged. In this regard, Captain America's performances in several movies to date can be used to explain actual science. Granted, script writers and movie directors may or may not be interested in whether the physical performances they depict can be explained, but that is irrelevant. The point is to make a connection using science to explain how the superhero can run faster, jump higher, or lift more than is humanly possible. If a teachable moment has occurred and an important concept has been communicated, the educator has accomplished his or her job well.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi spb107@msstate.edu.
authors.forename: Stanley P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi.
authors.forename: JohnEric W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McAllister
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi.
authors.forename: LeeAnn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Joe
mesh_terms: D005197:Famous Persons; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010827:Physiology / Q000193:education*
keywords: education; messaging; popular culture; science; superheroes