The Penn State Berks Human Movement Research Center will host the college’s fifth annual National Biomechanics Day from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6.
This year, approximately 200 high school students and their chaperones from 13 schools are expected to register for the program. Students and chaperones are encouraged to bring a bagged lunch with them.
Designed for high school students with an interest in science and engineering and, in particular, their applications to human movement, the event will include workshops conducted by Penn State Berks faculty, staff, and research students, as well as clinicians from local hospitals. The event will also include interactive laboratory activities, school and career information, and time for questions.
More than a dozen workshops will be offered, including: the marvels of fluid flow, biomechanical applications of 3D scanning and printing, 3D motion analysis for biomechanics and CGI, the biomechanics of jumping, and using wearable sensors to measure motion.
Students will also have an opportunity to visit the college’s state-of-the-art facilities including the new Biomechanics and Gait Evaluation Lab and the new Exercise Physiology Lab – both located in the newly renovated and expanded Beaver Athletics and Wellness Center.
Participants will also visit the Cadaver Lab, the only teaching cadaver laboratory in Berks County, and the Fluid Discovery Lab, the only open-access fluid dynamics lab in the Penn State system.
National Biomechanics Day is a worldwide celebration of biomechanics in its many forms for high school students and teachers, initiated by the American Society of Biomechanics.
This event is hosted by the Penn State Berks Human Movement Research Center, a multi-disciplinary collaborative research group consisting of Penn State Berks faculty with research, education and outreach interests related to enhancing human movement and improving life.
Bringing together expertise from kinesiology, engineering, mathematics, psychology, and other disciplines allows the research team to address important questions about human movement from a broad perspective.