Congratulations to the Bethel Musculoskeletal Research Center (BMRC) on their first community outreach program, Sports2STEM, held in April at the UPMC Cooper Field House at Duquesne University. Dr. John Drazan, assistant professor of Biomedical Engineering at Fairfield University, 2025 BMRC/ORS Mentorship & Outreach Fellow, led the program for about 20 middle- and high-school aged students.
Dr. Drazan opened the morning speaking at the BMRC labs on how he found himself at the juncture of his love of basketball and science. He detailed how he has been able to combine the two into an actionable process to ensure students who might not otherwise be engaged in STEM programs are reached. Dr. Drazan's undergraduate students were able to visit the BMRC labs, as well as the Pitt Orthopaedic Robotics Lab and the Biodynamics Lab.
In the afternoon at the event, students explored the science behind common basketball skills and measured their own progress with the help of Dr. Drazan's senior design students.
Thank you, Dr. Drazan, Fairfield University, BMRC volunteers and staff and all students (and parents and teachers!) who attended the Sports2STEM event.
