STEM in Sports: Making learning fun
Event provides unique learning experience for RPS students
More than 400 Richmond Public Schools students participated in hands-on station-based learning opportunities last week at the “STEM in Sports” event hosted by the VCU School of Education and VCU Athletics.
Students not only participated in sports activities on the floor of the Stuart C. Siegel Center like kicking soccer balls with internal chips that track the velocity and spin of the ball, they also visited the VCU Basketball Development Center to learn how sports teams use science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to improve their players’ performance.
“In the process, students see that the things they’re learning in science and math class also help athletes get better at the sports they love,” said Dr. Misti Wajciechowski, assistant professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning and event coordinator.
The success of this event in previous years has been the foundation for a new pilot program in RPS elementary schools this year that brings VCU SOE teachers into physical education classes to teach many of these same STEM concepts to students through sports.