More than 70 Detroit children spent a day on Michigan State University's campus this summer to learn how movement, measurement and allied health careers intersect. The Kinesiology Day of Action brought students ages 5 through 14 to MSU for hands-on demonstrations, tours of athletic facilities and a look at careers in movement science.
Hands-on science and surprise guests
Participants worked with sports-science equipment to measure aspects of physical performance and to see how technology can reveal what happens inside the body during exercise. MSU faculty and staff guided the students through demonstrations and experiments designed to show the practical benefits of staying active.
The event included an unexpected boost of star power when men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo and football head coach Pat Fitzgerald stopped by to greet the campers and take part in the afternoon activities.
Campus partners and program goals
The day was organized and led by the Department of Kinesiology in MSU's College of Education, with support from several university units: the College of Human Medicine, the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and MSU Athletics. Organizers say the program aimed both to promote healthy movement and to introduce students to possible career pathways in kinesiology and related health fields.
“These children learned how their body responds to physical activity and why that's important,” said Jaqueline Goodway, professor and associate chair of the Department of Kinesiology, who led the planning of the event.
Community and philanthropic support
The Kinesiology Day of Action was backed by several regional partners and funders. Sponsors included Henry Ford Health, philanthropist Tom Gores and the Detroit Pistons. The effort also connected to the partnership between Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University Health Sciences behind the Future of Health: Detroit development in Detroit's New Center, a project described by organizers as a roughly $3 billion investment in a hospital, research facilities and housing.
Transportation to the event was provided by NW Goldberg Cares, a foundation that supports inner-city children and youth through sport and community recreation programs.
Why this matters for Detroit youth
Organizers framed the day as more than a one-off field trip: it was intended to reduce barriers to wellness and to expand exposure to education and career opportunities in the health sciences. By combining athletic facility tours, hands-on measurement tools and conversations about career paths, the program sought to make health careers tangible for students who may not otherwise see themselves in those roles.
Faculty leaders emphasized the role of experiential learning. Using consumer- and research-grade equipment, students saw objective measures of sprinting, jumping and other movement tasks, and were encouraged to ask questions about anatomy, nutrition and the science behind athletic performance.
Program partners and campus contributors
Multiple MSU units contributed staff, equipment and instruction. Key university participants included:
- Department of Kinesiology, College of Education
- College of Human Medicine
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
- MSU Athletics
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Number of students | 70+ children |
| Student ages | 5–14 years |
| Major sponsors | Henry Ford Health; Tom Gores; Detroit Pistons |
| Transportation | NW Goldberg Cares |
What comes next
Organizers said they hope the event will not only teach immediate lessons about healthy movement, but also help build longer-term connections between Detroit neighborhoods and higher-education resources in health and sport science. The partners involved have signaled ongoing commitments to expand opportunities that link education, health and community wellness.
For families and community groups interested in similar programming, MSU and partner organizations frequently post outreach opportunities and summer programming through their community engagement offices and athletics outreach pages.
This event underscores a continuing effort among universities, health systems and sports organizations to create early pathways into health professions while promoting physical activity and wellness for young people in Detroit.
