Exploring Physical Fitness

Exploring Physical Fitness

Maker Monday

 
Physical fitness is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and there are endless ways to incorporate activity. You may not realize it, but when you engage in physical fitness, you are engaging with many aspects of STEM. From people that design the games you play and equipment you use to food we use to fuel our bodies - STEM is everywhere!

Today, you will explore how to use STEM skills to create a game!


Step 1: You know you have to take PE in school, but do you know why physical fitness is important? Make notes in your Da Vinci notebook about why physical fitness is important. Then watch this to compare your ideas. 

Step 2:  With insight into physical fitness, let’s consider how you can connect it to STEM. We know STEM is everywhere, but have you ever thought about the science of sports? Watch this to find out more!


Step 3: Think about all the different games you’ve played. Using your Da Vinci notebook, you’re going to design and plan your own game. This website will help inspire some ideas for your game.

Step 4: With your game idea, it’s time to make the rules and design your equipment. Don’t forget to think about safety and the different ways your game connects to STEM.  

Step 5: Be sure to share your game on social media using #MakerMondayTN &
 #LearningInPlaceTN! 





Additional Resources:


Fitness over Fatness (older students)

Wonder Wednesday


Physical fitness can be intense. Sometimes you need protective equipment to keep you safe, for example, a helmet for biking. Wearing the right shoes can also be an important factor in safety, like rock climbing shoes or cleats for running. But have you ever thought about how those special items are created? 


Today, you will investigate the science of shoes!


Step 1: Take a good look at your athletic shoes. What do you notice about them? Make a diagram of your shoe in your Da Vinci notebook. Label your drawing with the different parts of your shoe. What do you think the designers were thinking when they designed them? 

Step 2: Shoe designers have to think about more than just looks. They have to consider the function of the shoe, materials, and the science of moving. Watch this to see how a shoe company creates it’s product. 

Step 3: What kind of shoe are you designing? Is it for a particular activity or sport? Different activities require different criteria in a shoe. Watch this to find out how different shoes work for different runners.

Step 4: Now that you’ve seen the science of shoes, go back to your Da Vinci notebook and your shoe diagram. Design your own shoe and explain why you created certain features or colors. 

Step 5: Ask an adult to share your design on social media using #WonderWednesdayTN & #LearningInPlaceTN!




Additional Resources:

Design your own Converse



Future Friday


Being healthy is important at every stage of life. So, there are many jobs that focus on physical fitness. These jobs go far beyond being a coach or a physical education instructor. All areas of STEM can be incorporated into careers surrounding physical fitness and healthy living, like sports medicine or sports statisticians.  


Today, you will explore careers that help us stay physically fit!


Step 1: Careers in Sports Medicine can be found in all competitive sports. People working in Sports Medicine help athletes when they become injured but they also help to prevent injuries from occurring. Learn more about the field here. 

Step 2: Many sports or physical activities require equipment or safety gear. Sports Engineers are the people that design the equipment you use, the playing areas, and the safety equipment. Learn more about careers in these fields here. 

Step 3: Organized sporting events and athletes have a series of data that sums up their performance. This data is collected and analyzed by a Sports Statistician. If you love numbers and sports, check out this career. 

Step 4:  While Nutritionists can work in many fields concerning healthy living, professional athletes work with Nutritionists to help their bodies perform at the highest level. Find out more about this career here. 

Step 5: Ask a family member to share something you learned about one of the careers on social media using #FutureFridayTN & #LearningInPlaceTN!

Additional Resources:



Connecting Globally - We at TSIN believe STEM connects us all and in an effort to enhance those connections, the resources from the STEAM Resource Hub will be connected to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals.

Goal 3:  Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries

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