SAPEK is running its annual Research Case Competition called Project SPARC. Project SPARC is an initiative set by the VP Academics of the Student Association for Physical Education and Kinesiology which allows undergraduate students to conduct research in the field of exercise and health with the aid of a graduate mentor. Please review the Case Package to obtain pertinent knowledge on the competition. The link is directly below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10r3WZyAvpWgEPP10DzBSx6_aZSfoNWwi/view?usp=sharing 

INFO:
Graduate mentors (as well as the undergraduate participants) can be from any program or university. The undergraduate (UG) participants will endure 3 rounds of the research competition and in round 2, each group will be assigned a graduate mentor who will help the group conduct their literature review, structure a research proposal, create a poster presentation, and provide tips on delivering oral presentations. The UG participants are required to conduct their research under ONE of the following disciplines: biomechanics/rehabilitation, motor development/control, physiology, or psychology. Therefore, SAPEK is looking for graduate students in related field of studies to aid participants in conducting research in the same/a similar field. For example, graduate students researching in the field of biomechanics will be paired, as a mentor, to an undergraduate group conducting their research for the competition under the biomechanics discipline. The mentors of the top 3 finalist groups will be awarded prizes.  

First place: $100
Second place: $50
Third place: $25

- Round 1: Short lit. review
                  - Due March 6th  
                  - Mentors will be introduced to their assigned group March. 13th
- Round 2: Research Proposal
                 - Due April 3rd
                 - Mentors will meet with their group 2x between March 13th - April 3rd
- Round 3: Presentation
                 - April 17th
                 - Mentors will meet with their group 2x between April 4th - April 17th

The competition will be entirely virtual and ALL graduate mentors will be expected to meet with their UG group 2x in round 2 (60 min each meeting; 120 min in total). Mentors who move on to round 3 will be expected to complete another 120 minutes in total, split into two 60 min sessions. Otherwise, the graduate mentors must be available to answer any questions via email, etc. to help their UG group succeed in their research. Mentors will be invited to watch the final round where oral presentations will be delivered to a panel of judges. There will be an opportunity for virtual networking following the presentations and awards. Additionally, this competition is a chance for mentors to further their own knowledge in the field of exercise and health, and of course, it will look great on the CV!

Please sign up to be a graduate mentor below!
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For any further questions please review the case package document or contact:
eve.williamson@mail.mcgill.ca