In 2025, the BioCATS program has welcomed more than 1,100 Year 5 and 6 students from around Victoria to take part in an exciting, hands-on learning experience, where sport and STEM come together.
Delivered from the Deakin Cats Community Centre at the home of the Geelong Cats, GMHBA Stadium, the full-day program gives students a unique opportunity to explore how science, technology, engineering and mathematics come together to enhance athletic performance.
Developed in partnership with BioLAB and proudly supported by Bisinella Developments, BioCATS brings classroom learning to life through real world applications. The program also reinforces the concepts of health and wellbeing and the benefits of staying active.
Bisinella Developments Director Richard Bisinella said “It’s incredibly rewarding to see young students so engaged in learning through sport. The BioCATS program does a fantastic job of connecting science and physical activity in a way that’s both fun and educational.”
“We’re proud to continue supporting this initiative, which not only inspires the next generation of scientists and athletes but also strengthens community connections across the region.”
BioLAB – The Victorian Bioscience Education Centre has been providing specialist science and mathematics programs to Victorian students and teachers since 2011.
Students get the opportunity to tour the stadium, then take part in two, two-hour sessions across the day:
1. Draft Camp: Students measure their vertical jump, grip strength, speed, and agility, collecting data to discover how athletes use these metrics to improve performance on the field. They then compare their results to real athletes, linking classroom subjects to athletic performance.
2. BioCATS Challenge: Students work in teams to complete interactive challenges and quizzes, investigating STEM applications in sport
In May, the Geelong Cats welcomed Koori students from multiple schools around the South-West and Warrnambool regions, joining in a celebration program aligned with the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round, and were visited by six Cats AFL players – Tyson Stengle, Jack Martin, Lawson Humphries, Connor O’Sullivan and Shaun Mannagh – for a Q&A session, sharing insights about their sporting career.
On Monday, students from Wangala Primary School were joined by AFLW players Kate Darby, Georgie Rankin, Chantal Mason and Amy McDonald, who visited to connect with students, share their experiences, and have a kick-to-kick.
“It’s always great fun to spend time with students and explore health and sports through a maths and science lens with the BioCATS program,” Georgie Rankin said.
“With today’s visit, we got the opportunity to answer some of their questions about the AFLW, and they shared some of what they’d done and learnt through the ‘Draft Camp’ stations. It was great to hear the excitement and enthusiasm they spoke about the program with.”
BioLAB Director Yvonne Van Der Ploeg said:
“The BioCATS program is a fantastic experience for school students from around Victoria.
“As a Science and Maths Specialist Centre we are always searching for real world applications of science and maths and the partnership with the Geelong Football club allows us to tap into the enthusiasm and engagement that comes from AFL.
“Students get the chance to experience maths and science in a different way when they are testing themselves against elite players and exploring the ways in which science and maths is used to analyse games, improve performance and identify talent.
“It’s a great full-day experience for Year 5/6 students from schools around Victoria and something we are very proud to deliver at the home of the Cats.”
Bisinella Developments director Richard Bisinella added:
“Initiatives like BioCATS show how collaboration between education, sport and business can deliver real impact. It’s programs like this that inspire curiosity and confidence in students – skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.”
With the continued support of BioLAB, Bisinella, and the Geelong Cats, BioCATS remains a stellar example of how education and community connections can create engaging, memorable, and impactful learning experiences.
