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Shaw's Sports Medicine Exploratory Journey

Shaw's Sports Medicine Exploratory Journey

Science, Engineering & Technology

Medicine / Health

Start Date

May 2023

End Date

Ongoing

Sessions Completed

74 sessions

Assets

<div class="assets-links"><a class="assets-link" href="https://cpang88.wixsite.com/jaconnect"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/605190260cb9b4c3a9de71c8/680115d2ef2b7533efbc7b88_Frame.svg"><div class="inter-400">JA Connect</div></a><a class="assets-link" href="https://ojs.stanford.edu/ojs/index.php/intersect/article/view/3548"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/605190260cb9b4c3a9de71c8/680115d2ef2b7533efbc7b88_Frame.svg"><div class="inter-400">Shaw publishes his research</div></a></div>

Gallery

Student & Mentor

Student

<div class="student-mentor-item-div-top-info"><div class="inter-700 _20">Shaw</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align"></div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align">Grade 8</div></div>

Personality
Interests
Mentor

<div class="student-mentor-item-div-top-info"><div class="inter-700 _20">Collin Pang</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align">Stanford University</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align">Science, Technology & Society</div></div>

Personality

<div class="student-mentor-item-div-tags-wrapp"><div class="case-study-pill bg-light-yellow"><p class="inter-400 _16">Patient</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-light-yellow"><p class="inter-400 _16">Organized</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-light-yellow"><p class="inter-400 _16">Supportive</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-light-yellow"><p class="inter-400 _16">Interactive</p></div></div>

Interests

<div class="student-mentor-item-div-tags-wrapp"><div class="case-study-pill bg-white"><p class="inter-400 _16">Sports Medicine</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-white"><p class="inter-400 _16">Research</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-white"><p class="inter-400 _16">Youth Mentorship</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-white"><p class="inter-400 _16">Health Advocacy</p></div></div>

What They Set Out To Do

Shaw McGrath, an eighth grader with a passion for sports and medicine, sought a mentor who could guide him through his interests in health and injury prevention. He was eager to learn more about the medical field while balancing his athletic commitments. Shaw needed a mentor who could inspire him and provide practical insights into sports medicine and health advocacy.

The Perfect Match

<div class="case-study-match-wrapper"><div class="match-item"><div class="apercu-mono-pro-700 _20">Passion for Medicine</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align text-black-80">Collin's deep understanding of sports medicine perfectly aligned with Shaw's interest in the medical field, fostering a productive mentorship.</div></div><div class="match-item"><div class="apercu-mono-pro-700 _20">Shared Athletic Interests</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align text-black-80">Both Shaw and Collin's enthusiasm for sports created a natural rapport, enhancing Shaw's engagement and learning.</div></div><div class="match-item"><div class="apercu-mono-pro-700 _20">Cultural Awareness</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align text-black-80">Collin's diverse background and open-mindedness helped Shaw explore different perspectives in medicine and health.</div></div></div>

Project Milestones

Created Sports Medicine Roadmap
July 2023
Developed a comprehensive learning roadmap for exploring sports medicine, establishing a structured approach to guide future sessions and strengthen understanding of key concepts in the field.
Mastered Body Systems and Medical Terminology
July 2023
Gained foundational knowledge of body organization, essential body systems, and medical terminology, building a critical vocabulary base for deeper exploration of sports medicine concepts.
Analyzed Sports Injury Mechanisms
July 2023
Examined various sports-related injuries and their anatomical impacts, developing the ability to connect specific activities with injury patterns and their effects on the body.
Studied Injury Assessment Techniques
August 2023
Explored professional methods for injury assessment and treatment approaches, including analyzing ACL reconstruction surgery procedures, demonstrating strong comprehension through assessment exercises.
Initiated ACL Research Paper
August 2023
Began developing a scholarly research paper focused on ACL injuries, marking the transition from theoretical learning to applied research in sports medicine.
Developed Research Paper Outline
August 2023
Created a comprehensive outline for the ACL research paper, establishing the structure and key components needed for a well-rounded academic submission.
Revised Paper
March 2024
Implemented targeted revisions based on feedback, enhancing citations, improving scientific accuracy, and strengthening content throughout the manuscript.
Drafted ACL Research Paper Introduction
March 2024
Composed the introduction section of the literature analysis paper, effectively summarizing source material while incorporating proper context and background details to orient readers.
Completed Methods Section of Research Paper
April 2024
Synthesized experimental methodologies from source papers into a cohesive methods section, demonstrating skill in paraphrasing complex research procedures while maintaining accuracy.
Authored Discussion Section of Research Paper
April 2024
Crafted a discussion section that effectively analyzed research findings, placed them in context, identified limitations, and suggested future research directions, showing advanced analytical thinking.
Formulated Future Research Questions
April 2024
Developed thoughtful and structured future research questions for the ACL paper, demonstrating the ability to identify knowledge gaps and propose meaningful directions for subsequent investigation.
Implemented Proper Citation Methods
May 2024
Applied MLA formatting to research sources, ensuring academic integrity through proper attribution while identifying areas requiring additional citation support.
Completed Abstract for Research Paper
May 2024
Synthesized the paper's key findings into a concise abstract, effectively summarizing complex research in a clear and accessible manner.
Refined Research Paper Through Editing Process
May 2024
Conducted comprehensive editing of the research paper, improving clarity, flow, and explanatory detail while maintaining academic rigor throughout multiple drafts.
Launched Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Website
August 2024
Designed and developed a comprehensive website focused on juvenile arthritis awareness, utilizing AI tools to create an informative platform with multiple content sections.
Established Donation Partnerships for Nonprofit
August 2024
Researched and incorporated reputable arthritis research organizations into the website's donation section, creating pathways for visitors to support juvenile arthritis research.
Implemented Newsletter Subscription System
September 2024
Created a monthly newsletter subscription feature for the arthritis awareness website, establishing a communication channel to engage with supporters and share updated information.
Submitted Research Paper to Academic Journal
October 2024
Successfully submitted the completed ACL research paper to the Stanford Journal of Science, Technology and Society, representing the culmination of extensive research and writing efforts.
Authored Educational Blog Content
October 2024
Developed informative blog posts about juvenile arthritis, covering topics such as environmental factors, treatment options, and physical therapy approaches, demonstrating strong health communication skills.
Developed Youth Community Service Initiative
November 2024
Created a comprehensive proposal for a youth initiative connecting public and private school students through sports and community service activities, demonstrating leadership and community engagement.
Built Project Website for Youth Initiative
January 2025
Designed and developed a website for the Bridging Youth Initiative, complete with mission statement, services information, and program details to facilitate community engagement.
Created Email Outreach Strategy
January 2025
Developed a strategic email outreach approach for the youth initiative, crafting effective messaging and implementing scheduling tools to connect with potential participants and their families.
Secured Multiple Summer Internship Opportunities
April 2025
Obtained three prestigious summer placements: a medical shadowing position at Atria, a business operations internship with Manchester City, and an academic program at Oxford University, demonstrating exceptional initiative and career planning.

Skills Developed

  • Research Skills
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Effective Communication
  • Project Management
  • Creative Problem Solving

Challenged Overcomed

  • Balancing academics with sports commitments
  • Building confidence in medical discussions
  • Transitioning from ideas to actionable projects

What’s Next

Shaw is now poised to deepen his understanding of sports medicine through hands-on experiences, including internships and community projects. He aims to leverage his research skills to publish articles on juvenile arthritis and continue exploring career paths in the medical field. With Collin's guidance, Shaw is excited to take on new challenges and make a positive impact in his community.

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