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PT students teach area high schoolers about biomechanics

Event led by Movement Science Program students as part of National Biomechanics Day

April 12, 2018

Matt Miller

High school student Eric Dalton walks on a treadmill with sensors attached to his body. The School of Medicine's Program in Physical Therapy and its Movement Science Program hosted a hands-on event for area high schoolers on National Biomechanics Day, Friday, April 6.

About 25 St. Louis-area high school students visited Washington University School of Medicine Friday, April 6, to participate in activities involving physical therapy and biomechanics, the study of mechanical laws relating to the movement and structure of living organisms.

PhD students in the Movement Science Program of the university’s Program in Physical Therapy hosted the event as part of National Biomechanics Day, which is aimed at exposing high school students and teachers to biomechanics in fun, engaging ways. A key goal of the students hosting the event was to inform the younger students — visiting from about 10 area districts and high schools — about educational opportunities within the physical therapy program and possible careers related to biomechanics and movement science.

Matt Miller

High school student Kalen Lang watches as a student in the university’s Program in Physical Therapy leads a yoga class. The class was part of the program’s celebration of National Biomechanics Day on Friday, April 6.

Matt Miller

Peter Myers, a doctoral student in the Program in Physical Therapy’s Movement Science Program, leads Caitlyn Kelly and other high school students in a yoga class. The PT program marked National Biomechanics Day on Friday, April 6, by inviting area high school students to participate in biomechanics-related activities.

Matt Miller

Hyo-Jung Jeong (background), a doctoral student in the Movement Science Program, moves a crutch as Mary Willard, a doctoral student in physical therapy, helps high school student Kalen Lang set a walker at its proper height. Lang participated Friday, April 6, in several activities led by the Program in Physical Therapy as part of National Biomechanics Day.

Matt Miller

Movement Science doctoral student Kim Waddell (right) gives instructions to high school student Eric Dalton as he participates in an activity Friday, April 6, as part of National Biomechanics Day.