The science of sport is explored to create nation’s engineers of the future

Curling champion Eve Muirhead inspires youngsters in visit to Lothian school

An East Lothian school has had a visit from an Olympic athlete for a physics lesson with a difference. Scotland’s women’s curling captain, Eve Muirhead, visited Ross High in Tranent as part of EDF Energy’s education outreach work to talk to them about the links between sport and science.

After hearing about her career in curling and the ways that science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) are used in her sport the pupils took part in a handson experiment to explore friction, momentum and distance.

The pupils had to build a hovercraft from a balloon, a CD and some blue-tac and try to land it on a target, much like the ones 2014 Winter Olympics bronze medallist and her team aim for on the curling rink.

A study commissioned earlier this year by EDF Energy, which operates Torness power station, found that there will be 142,000 new jobs in science, research, engineering and technology between now and 2023 but current figures show there will be a shortfall in the number of graduates and apprentices available to fill these roles.

Muirhead said: “It was great to be able to talk to the pupils about my experiences and explain to them how science touches almost every part of my sport. Curlers use geometry and physics every time we take to the ice.

“We rely on doctors, physiotherapists, sports scientists and nutritionists to keep us fit for competition and design engineers ensure we have the right kit and equipment that will help us perform at our best”.

Torness Station Director, Paul Winkle, said: “We are delighted to be working with Eve Muirhead to help children make the connections between STEM and sport.

“EDF Energy is investing in the next generation of Scottish minds because we know that if Scotland is to address the energy challenges of the future it needs to have a workforce with strong skills in STEM.”

Ross High Maths teacher, Eddie White, added: “The pupils were very much engaged with the process and really seemed to like the fact that science and sport are so seamlessly integrated at this level. We tell them that all the time, but a current highly successful sportswoman is always going to be believed more.”

0 Sophie Brown and Erin Hill with Eve