Curious minds connect for Science of Sports Day at McMaster
The young guests of Saturday's Science of Sports Day, ages 5-14, participated in timed races, studied the physics of baseball and the science of yoga and watched demonstrations from the Emergency First Response Team. Early engagement in creativity, exploration and problem-solving shaped the event schedule.
As we patiently wait for warmer weather, 20 student volunteers of McMaster’s Let’s Talk Science (LTS) program are already embracing activities linked to the great outdoors.
More than 250 attendees, including local children and their families, were on campus Saturday for Science of Sports Day. The free event fused sport and science, and was designed to inspire kids and transform the education system through a variety of athletic activities.
Science of Sports Day was organized by McMaster graduate and undergraduate students who volunteer with Let’s Talk Science — a national program that supports education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and offers engaging programs and activities for all ages.
“It has been a true privilege to act as a coordinator for the program this year,” says Erin Macpherson, coordinator for Let’s Talk Science.
“I have the opportunity to work with our wonderful volunteers and educators who see the importance of promoting science for their students.”
Early engagement in creativity, exploration and problem-solving shaped Saturday’s event schedule. The young guests, ages 5-14, participated in timed races, studied the physics of baseball and the science of yoga and watched demonstrations from the Emergency First Response Team.
Consider the variety of yoga postures and movements in the practice. The human body has more than 650 skeletal muscles that help us create voluntary, fluid movements.
One of the activities had kids practicing their sturdy “tree pose.” This involved having participants stand on one leg, lift the other to connect to the base legs knee and extending both arms high above their head and connect at the fingertips. The LTS leaders explained how each muscle was contracting, relaxing or stretching.
Science of Sports Day participants strike a tree pose during an afternoon yoga session.
Skills and attitudes toward STEM subjects are developed and set during elementary school years. LTS demystifies scientific literacy by relating it to kids through sports and activities that are part of their everyday routine.
In the eyes of youth, science may not always make sense. But the activities organized by LTS for Science of Sports Day turned on several light bulbs in the youngest of minds.
“An understanding and appreciation for science is exceptionally important to help children and youth thrive as citizens and in a workplace,” says Macpherson.
Throughout the year, Let’s Talk Science events encourage curious children, pre-teens, educators and students to support and create authentic learning experiences.
The next LTS event, Science Rendezvous: Hands-on Science, will take place Saturday, May 9 at The ARCH (1429 Main St. E.), from 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
