Technically room to improve
NOAH Saffin is a keen sportsman but until yesterday he didn’t fully understand the key role technologies such as GPS tracking systems play in helping sports teams achieve their best.
Noah, 15, was one of more than 40 students from 11 schools to take part in the first Geelong Tech Schoolorganised science event at Kardinia Park.
The Tech School, funded under a $128 million statewide government commitment, will not officially open until later this year, but director Leanne Collins said schools were already engaging in the programs on offer.
Noah, who plays basketball and tennis, took part in a hands-on program at Kardinia Park where he used technology to assess his sporting ability and understand how slight changes could positively affect his abilities.
“(Today) we have experienced how technology is used in sports and science and how using technology can help people improve,” Noah said. “I did not really know how much technology is actually used in sport. ”
Christian College Year 7 co-ordinator and Geelong VFL women’s player Renee Garing said the program gave her the opportunity to show students how science and technology can be practically applied in everyday life.
The former netballer, who runs about 10km each football match, said the use of GPS tracking in sport had grown enormously in recent years and was often used by players on-field and during training.
“(Technology) is an exciting area that we use more than ever. We have all of these facilities — think what we will have in 10 years.”
Ms Collins said a fundamental part of the school was showing young students how STEM subjects and knowledge were relevant in so many fields.
Twenty-three Geelong schools have partnered with the Tech School, which will be run by The Gordon. It will cater for students from Years 7-10.