Perspectives Winter/Spring 2018

30 Nova Southeastern University Health and Human Performance Exercise and Sport Science Fort Lauderdale—B.S. Program Program Celebrates National Biomechanics Day ON APRIL 6, 2017, more than 20 students from both the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) club and the physics class from NSU University School’s Upper School participated in the university’s inaugural National Biome- chanics Day (NBD), which centered on the theme Science Meets Fun on National Biomechanics Day. The event took place at the NSU Exercise and Sports Science (EXSC) Lab on the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus. NBD is a worldwide celebration of biomechanics in its many forms for high school students and teachers. The goal is to advance biomechanics among the high school community and around the world. Biomechanics is the fundamental example of STEM and STEAM educational initiatives, as it combines science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) into one awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping, human-enhancing, creative endeavor. NSU University School students investigated real-world applications of physics and biomechanics while learning from Department of Health and Human Performance faculty members. Participating faculty members included Jeffrey Doeringer, Ph.D., ATC, LAT, assistant professor; Monique Mokha, Ph.D., ATC, LAT, CSCS, professor; and Tobin Silver, Ph.D., CSCS, associate professor. Kristain Mejia, a senior in the Exercise and Sport Science Program, served as master of ceremonies, welcoming and directing attendees. The students were divided into three groups and rotated between three labs stations that consisted of • making their own “spaghetti diagram” by tracking their center of pressure movement during a postural sway activity on the force plate • generating their own vertical ground reaction force while walking or jogging on the force instrumented treadmill • measuring center of mass height during different jumping techniques using Dartfish video analysis software. One student attendee was so inspired by the experience that she reached out to Mokha and requested a summer research internship. Mokha and the student worked together last June, which allowed the student to learn the basics of 3-D motion capture. A highlight of the internship was collecting data on two of NSU’s cross-country runners. The student is now earning her bachelor’s degree in bioen- gineering at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. NBD 2017 had more than 400 biomechanists in 150 labs collaborating with more than 7,000 high school students and hundreds of teachers around the world in exciting and inspiring biomechanics celebrations. Paul DeVita, Ph.D., the NBD creator from Eastern Carolina University, showcased NSU’s involvement on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. The EXSC Program will be working with more high school students and teachers at the Third Annual National Biomechanics Day on April 11, 2018. ● By Monique Mokha, Ph.D., ATC, LAT, CSCS, Professor