STUDENTS ranging from primary school stage to A-level age gained hands-on experience when a sports science education group visited the island last week.
The travelling roadshow that is UK-based By Design visited schools before setting up shop at the Manx Museum with their range of hi-tech equipment and informative demonstrations.
Manx National Heritage’s Anthea Young explained that the company were invited to the island as part of the museum’s ongoing Our Sporting Life exhibition.
Anthea said: ‘We wanted to offer something to school groups and families coming into half-term to tie in with the exhibition.
‘The By Design staff are incredible and have worked really hard, and the response from the schools has been wonderful.’
When the Examiner visited, it was the turn of year five pupils from Arbory and St John’s primary schools to experience the three-part session. First students were given a crash course on rowing machines, and a subsequent team race harnessed the natural competitiveness of the kids. The emphasis was on teamwork, as they had to help each other on and off the machines while the relay race unfolded on a digital projection.
Next pupils tackled formula one driver Jenson Button’s record on the BATAK reaction board, and sprinter Usain Bolt’s acceleration between two electronic timers,
The third element of the visit was an entertaining hour-long lecture, during which the students were introduced to scientific concepts with simple examples and demonstrations, like how a sumo wrestler widens their base and lowers their centre of gravity to become more stable, or in contact sports how padding absorbs and spreads the force of an impact to provide protection.
Even Isaac Newton’s law that every action as an equal and opposite reaction was given an airing with the year fives, who saw how the momentum of a swinging cricket bat challenges the friction of a person’s feet on the floor.
This was By Design’s first visit to the island, and after a busy week instructor Charlotte Burke was happy with how their presentations had been received. She said: ‘Sport isn’t just about running or throwing a ball, it’s about overcoming challenges. Both the younger and older kids have reacted well.
‘It’s nice to come somewhere different. The people here have been very welcoming and friendly and it’s amazing to know there are so many top sportsmen from one small area. The kids are all proud to be from the Isle of Man, they have mentioned last year’s Commonwealth Youth Games quite a lot!’