Year 11 Health and Movement Science Students Dive into Cutting-Edge Research at Blacktown Hub

On Friday the 25th of July, students from Year 11 Health and Movement Science were given a unique opportunity to step beyond the classroom and into the world of real-life research and performance science during an exciting excursion to the Blacktown Exercise, Sports and Technology Hub.

Aligned with the new 2025 Health and Movement Science Syllabus, this excursion aimed to deepen students’ understanding of core concepts through hands-on experiences and practical application. It was a day designed to spark curiosity, promote critical thinking, and inspire future careers in sport, health, and human movement science.

Throughout the day, students engaged in three dynamic workshops:

• Biomechanical Analysis – where students explored how movement is measured and analysed using motion capture and force plates, gaining insight into how athletes refine technique for optimal performance.

• Physiology in Practice – this session focused on how the body responds to physical activity, with students participating in real-time monitoring of heart rate, oxygen uptake, and other key physiological variables.

• Energy Systems in Action – an engaging workshop that brought theory to life, helping students identify how the ATP-PC, lactic acid, and aerobic systems function during different types of movement, through sport-specific challenges and testing activities.

These workshops offered students a meaningful connection to the research process, with a strong emphasis on problem solving, critical analysis, and decision-making. Students weren't just observing – they were actively experimenting, questioning, and applying their learning in real time.

One student reflected: “It was amazing to actually see how the things we learn in class are used by real athletes and scientists. It made the content so much more meaningful.”

This excursion not only strengthened students' scientific understanding, but also fostered key 21st-century skills. The Blacktown Hub provided a vibrant, state-of-the-art environment where education met innovation – and where the next generation of health and movement leaders took their first steps.

Mr Houseman, Ms Leitch and Ms Corpuz