Fourth-year Kinesiology students at the University of Guelph-Humber (U of GH) made learning complex scientific topics accessible through their research presentations at the Kinesiology Showcase at the end of the fall 2025 semester.
The KIN*3060 Human Development and Aging students presented their projects in the Guelph-Humber atrium, engaging with their peers, staff and instructors, and other passersby at the University. The experience allowed students to get creative with how they showcased their research and armed them with the ability to break down dense data for a wider audience.
“It was a really good way to explain your research to professors and other classmates who you might not have really talked to before and it also let me build confidence,” Kinesiology student Carlos Puster said of his experience showcasing his work.
Puster worked with a group of three other students, including with his twin brother, on research exploring if resistance training could reduce the severity of osteoporosis – the decrease in bone density – in middle-aged and older women. To simply explain it, he used the analogy that bones can be like sponges, and the more porous they are (like a sponge with holes), the more brittle they are.
He said what sparked his interest for this topic was seeing his own mother age and having a desire to share what he learned with her to empower her and improve her quality of life.
Selecting a research topic was also personal for Kinesiology student Caitlin Kelly. She and her research partner delved into the topic of CBD use in concussion recovery, a topic closely connected to Kelly’s own experience with multiple concussions and her goal of building a career in sports recovery.
“I worked with somebody who had never used CBD themselves or never seen it as a form of recovery, so they played devil's advocate,” she explained. “It helped along the way to see where a consumer stands who has never tried this product before. We saw it from two different perspectives.”
“Our mission was to educate contact sport athletes and people in the community about the safety around using CBD for recovery and the efficacy,” she continued.
The Kinesiology Showcase allowed students to get creative when presenting their work to engage guests in their research and illustrate concepts. For instance, Kelly’s presentation stimulated the senses to captivate those visiting their booth. There were colouring books and quizzes to highlight different aspects of the brain and essential oils to represent the cannabis terpenes (what’s responsible for the smell and flavour of the plant), which she said can have aromatherapy healing benefits.
The Kinesiology showcase also gave students experience in delivering a presentation. For Puster, he learned that to keep audiences interested, it’s key to stay animated, speak loud and clear, and avoid being “robotic.” It’s important to think of it as a conversation showcasing what you’ve learned, he said. The project also taught him the value of understanding how the research was conducted when reading other papers to inform his own.
And for Kelly, a major lesson she learned was about narrowing down the focus of her research efforts.
“That research process was about narrowing down different areas we could’ve gone into… It was more about what comes through with CBD’s connection to concussions, then [in turn], allowing people make their own decisions [about using it],” she said.
Experiences like the Kinesiology Showcase allow students to gain additional soft skills, which is an aspect Puster and Kelly greatly enjoy about the program. For Puster, the blend of theory (the research process) and practicality (the presentation aspect) are integral to his education.
“Being able to talk to new people, learn how to present not just in a classroom setting but in a professional setting is really important,” he said.
And for Kelly, having opportunities at her fingertips to develop her skillsets is priceless.
Ready to help make people’s lives better through health and wellness? Explore the Kinesiology program at Guelph-Humber here.