Is Kinesiology a Bridge to STEM Engagement? Sport Science Labs in High School

Abstract

Improving STEM education in schools is important to prepare students for the increasing number of STEM related jobs. As a STEM discipline, kinesiology, which includes the study of sport, exercise, movement and well-being, may be an effective link between science concepts and students’ everyday lives and thus may stimulate science engagement. Our university’s kinesiology programs developed a set of sport related kinesiology labs which were presented by faculty and students during one semester in local high school Freshmen and Senior science classes. Survey data included information about STEM engagement, scientific inquiry, and knowledge of kinesiology as a STEM field. Findings included improved understanding of kinesiology but no differences between treatment and control groups in science engagement or understanding. Implications and future directions for kinesiology and science engagement are discussed.

Keywords

• STEM
• kinesiology
• science engagement
• science literacy
• STEM pathways
• high school