KIN 395C: Movement Mentor Positions in Community Engagement Team

About the Lab

The Moove and Snooze Lab is a developmental research laboratory in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst that focuses on movement and sleep behaviors in children and adolescents. Under the leadership of Dr. Christine St. Laurent, the mission of the lab is to: (1) Expand our knowledge about how physical activity and sleep influence brain health and other health outcomes throughout development, and how to best promote these behaviors in different settings and populations; (2) Provide UMass students with opportunities to apply their educational knowledge, gain hands-on public health and research experience, and gain new professional development skills; and (3) Engage with our community in the Pioneer Valley and Western Massachusetts, by providing services and resources to those that care for or teach children and developing collaborative research and programs. 

Community Engagement Team Members Needed

About the Movement Mentor Role

As members of our Community Engagement team, Movement Mentors participate in practical opportunities to develop and/or implement initiatives to enhance physical activity levels among children. As our community and campus partnerships expand, this role will evolve. Currently, our lab is collaborating with schools to promote and facilitate physical activity opportunities for students during school recess, and potentially in some other settings. This practical opportunity will provide hands-on experience in developing and implementing initiatives to enhance physical activity levels among school-aged children. 

What is Involved

Schedule, Locations, and Settings

We are looking for students who have weekly daytime availability (between 10 am and 2 pm) on at least two days during the fall semester to attend recess programs in Amherst and Belchertown schools. Lab meetings will take place mainly in Totman on campus (and sometimes on Zoom), but most hours will be completed in the community. A car is not required, as we will arrange carpooling or make use of public transportation. However, please consider whether you have sufficient breaks in your schedule that allow time for traveling to and from other locations. 

Course Registration & Time Commitment

If accepted to join us in the fall, Dr. St. Laurent will register you for KIN 395C for 3 credits. Students are expected to dedicate approximately 3 hours per credit each week. We will also have weekly meetings (scheduled at the beginning of the semester) and training sessions throughout the semester. 

Background Checks

Our community sites may require background checks (e.g., CORI/SORI checks). Typically, students will need a government-issued form of ID in hand, and will need to know their social security number.