More than 80 students from eight secondary schools in Kent have presented findings from the Inside Sports Science projects they conducted in the sports science laboratories at the University of Kent at Medway.
The purpose of Inside Sports Sciencewas to introduce secondary school pupils to key scientific and technological developments in sports and exercise science in a hands-on and accessible way. Pupils had to devise and carry out a project in the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences (SSES) laboratories working alongside University PhD students. This involved developing a method, carrying out data collection and analysing data. Throughout this process students engaged in critical discussions and problem solving.
The project consisted of four stages, which took place between October and December. These stages included workshops at the University laboratories, project data collection, analysis of the data and presenting their findings at a presentation evening held on the University’s Medway campus.
At the presentation event the students were challenged by a judging panel to explain their work and its limitations, and suggest ideas for the application of their projects’ findings.
Dr John Dickinson from SSES said: ‘Our guest for the presentation evening, Paralympic gold medallist Charlotte Evans, commented that the students she spoke to were really passionate about their projects.The University staff were impressed by how committed the pupils were to their projects and their work reflected their understanding of the issues. It was a pleasure working with them.’
All of the student presentations were of a high standard and the winning presentation was delivered by the Chatham Grammar School for Girls at the final event on 5 December, 2018.