How much can a game tell us through its data? Much more than LS2 students initially imagined.
During their Physical Education lesson with Prof. Edoardo Zonta, students took part in the first MIT Abstract live webinar of the year, as part of the collaboration between Nord Anglia Education and MIT. The session, “Bringing Data to Every Sideline”, featured Henry Wang, an MIT graduate student and former competitive swimmer, and MIT scientist Dr Fatima Husain.
Through practical examples, students discovered how sensors, cameras and motion-tracking systems can be used to collect and analyse data on athletes’ speed, position and movement, helping to improve training and performance.
What surprised them most was just how much technology goes on behind the scenes of a game:
“I thought cameras were only used to show the game on TV.”
“Data is used much more than I thought.”
“There are so many things behind a simple football match.”
The experience gave students a new perspective on sport, showing them how sport, mathematics, technology and data analysis can work together.
A great first session in a series of MIT Abstracts that will give Lower Secondary students the opportunity to explore new topics and connect their learning with real-world applications throughout the year.
