Over the past few months the University of Kent’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences (SSES) has engaged tenaciously with Outreach work into local communities. The school has had the privilege of running numerous projects and engage school children with the world of sports science.
Dr John Dickinson, Lecturer in Physiology & Head of the Respiratory Clinic here at the University of Kent has been at the forefront of our activity with UK school children. Dr Dickinson’s work has involved introducing children to the science of exercise and physical activity. The Inside Sports Science initiative featured alongside activities from the British Heart Foundation and others at the British Cardiovascular Society annual children’s event back on 3rd June 2014 at Manchester Central (Central 5-7).
The university’s World Congress of Cycling Science also hosted a school’s event at The Rose Bowl in Leeds. SSES invited pupils from four Leeds primary schools to attend the event on Wednesday 2nd July 2014. HaB directsupported the event, providing specialised equipment to inspire children to learn more about science and become more physically active.
Dr Dickinson said: ‘These events are a great way to encourage young people to explore different ways science is used in sport. Funding for the student volunteers to work on the projects in Manchester and Leeds was provided by the University of Kent Opportunity Fund. The volunteers helped co-ordinate both of the events; without the University of Kent Opportunity Fund paying for travel and accommodation neither of these events would have been possible’.