Science World’s travelling show puts sport under the microscope in Victoria

Nine Greater Victoria schools on the schedule between Oct. 6 and 10

It is not just the scoreboard that matters in sports — the science behind every kick, sprint, and jump is now taking centre stage in classrooms across Greater Victoria.

Science World’s latest travelling program, The Science of Sport, is set to make nine stops in the region between Oct. 6-10, with several of those visits happening in Sooke.

The program, designed for elementary students, mixes live demonstrations with hands-on challenges to explore how energy, forces, health, and technology shape the games kids already know.

The launch comes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

With soccer as an inspiration, the Vancouver-based science centre has built a show that looks at physics and materials in sports equipment, the effect of exercise on human health, and the evolution of technology from prosthetic running blades to clap skates.

Stefano Giullianetti, manager of outreach programs at Science World, said the project has been in the works for nearly a year.

“We’ve been at this since last October starting with consultations with industry professionals like Soccer BC and the Sports Hall of Fame, professors at UBC and SFU, as well as piloting to public audiences and teachers,” he said.

Giullianetti added that the team wanted to highlight connections between science and sport in a way that would resonate with young students.

“We approached this from a scientific perspective, hoping to best represent the large concepts of both science and sport with the goal to spark curiosity in both subjects,” he said. “We discovered so many common goals and practices and are excited to interact and explore these subjects with students across B.C.”

The program is part of Science World’s long-running On the Road initiative, which since 1988 has brought free, curriculum-linked presentations to schools around the province.

Funded in part by the province, The Science of Sport is expected to reach more than 100 schools and 22,000 students during the 2025-26 school year, with a focus on rural, remote, and underserved communities.

While Science World has not confirmed which schools will be visited in Greater Victoria, Giullianetti said the tour is carefully planned to balance new requests with return visits.

For many students, it means gym class this fall will come with a side of science.

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