Central Coast Mariners teamed up with the University of Newcastle on April 4 at an event aimed at inspiring the region’s high school students to engage with mathematics.
Maths with Mariners offered 120 students in Years 7 and 8 the chance to develop their maths skills while brushing shoulders with their favourite players.
Education and Exercise Sports Science students from the University of Newcastle, together with senior students from Central Coast Sports College, used football-related activities to demonstrate applications of maths to the children.
From measuring the area of the penalty box to calculating the angle needed to ‘bend it like Beckham’, the activities also aimed to inspire teachers to integrate physical activity into core school subjects.
“It’s not just fun and games,” co-lead of the project and education researcher Dr Nick Riley, from the University of Newcastle School of Education, said.
“There has been a worldwide decline in interest and achievement in mathematics in young people.
“And despite the extensive benefits of physical activity, the majority of children are not sufficiently active.
“Schools have the potential to address both concerns through innovative teaching that challenges and complements traditional approaches.
“I believe all kids have huge potential and as educators and teachers we have to find the key to unlock that potential.
“For some students, movement-based learning is that key.”
The event was also geared to expose high school students to sport-related career paths.
Dr Colin Sanctuary is co-lead of the event and teaches exercise and sport science at the University of Newcastle.
“Our university students had a unique, hands-on opportunity to explain the science behind certain activities to high school students,” he said.
“For example, when measuring the temperature of the recovery ice baths that the Mariners players use, school students learnt about athlete recovery from our students, and what happens to the muscles during that process.”
Riley said there were hopes the program could expand if more funding can be secured to research the benefits of combining physical education and learning.
“Our preliminary studies have consistently demonstrated improved on-task behaviour and enhanced academic outcomes when physical activity is incorporated into everyday teaching of core subjects in schools,” he said.
Central Coast Mariners spokesperson Chris Farnon said the club’s relationship with schools around the Central Coast region was “incredibly important”.
“This is one of the many ways that we as a club are building this relationship and we cannot wait for it to continue for many years to come,” he said.
Maths with Mariners was held on 4 April at Gosford’s Industree Group Stadium, hosted by the venue and supported by delivery partner, Central Coast Sports College.
Source:
University of Newcastle