“From the design of helmets in football, hockey, and lacrosse to the technology behind the tablets used by Syracuse coaches, STEM is deeply woven into the fabric of sports to enhance performance and ensure athlete safety,” stated Robert Simmons, Vice President of U.S. Social Impact and Community Engagement at National Grid. “Our partnership with Syracuse University Athletics and the College of Engineering and Computer Science gives me great confidence that students participating in the STEM of Sports Academy will not only deepen their understanding of STEM, but also begin to see clear pathways to exciting careers in the field.”
This instructional and hands-on expertise blends STEM ideas with real-world sports activities functions to create a fascinating, immersive studying surroundings. The academy is open to rising ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade college students of all backgrounds and curiosity ranges. No prior athletic or STEM expertise is required. The aim is easy: make STEM accessible, relatable, and enjoyable for college students who get pleasure from sports activities and are interested by how science and expertise form the video games they love.
“This initiative has been a tremendous way to bring STEM to life through its application to the world of sports,” stated Salatha Willis, Syracuse Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Success. “This is designed to spark curiosity, engage young minds, and ignite a lasting passion for science and technology. By combining interactive STEM activities with the energy of athletics, students will experience the joy of learning in a way that’s both exciting and meaningful.”
The academy first started in Summer 2024, when Syracuse University hosted three one-day, coeducational STEM immersion classes on the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, welcoming 50 college students per session, together with one session solely for younger girls. The outcomes had been clear: when STEM is taught by the lens of sports activities, college students retain extra data and present a higher want to study. Importantly, the inclusive design ensured that each one college students—regardless of their background—might take part and profit. Building on that success, the 2025 STEM of Sports Academy engaged a whole lot of college students by a number of one-day classes on the John A. Lally Athletic Complex.
Syracuse, Micron and National Grid are constructing upon the success of the primary two years, anticipating to host as many as 1,000 college students in 2026. They additionally proceed to supply “Part Two” of the STEM of Sports Academy for the second consecutive 12 months: a week-long, non-credit STEM of Sports Engineering Course by the University’s Summer College program. Aimed at rising tenth and eleventh grade college students, this residential expertise affords members the chance to take a college-level course by the College of Engineering and Computer Science, reside on campus, and participate in educational occasions targeted on STEM and innovation.
“Micron is committed to helping students see themselves as part of the future of the technology industry,” stated Kim Burnett, Micron Social Impact and Community Engagement Lead for New York. “At the intersection of athletics and education, the STEM of Sports Academy is a unique mixture of learning and playing that allows students to gain skills that equip them to thrive in tomorrow’s tech-driven world.”
The curriculum for the STEM of Sports Academy was developed by Cindy Smith, Assistant Teaching Professor for the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University. Her revolutionary strategy ensures that college students not solely grasp STEM ideas but additionally see their real-world functions within the context of sports activities, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for each disciplines.
Smith brings a wealth of experience in Sports Engineering to the event of the STEM of Sport Academy curriculum. With a deep understanding of the intersection between sports activities and expertise, Professor Smith is devoted to creating STEM accessible and interesting for younger minds by leveraging their ardour for sports activities as a gateway to studying.
“This program opens the door to STEM by channeling the energy and excitement students already have for sports into the classroom,” Smith stated.
The College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse is acknowledged nationally for excellence in educating and analysis, balancing its dedication to excellence in schooling, engineering, and pc science with the management function it performs in exploring rising and revolutionary applied sciences.
National Grid is an power supply firm serving greater than 2.3 million clients in Upstate New York. One of the corporate’s priorities is to develop a workforce able to engineer the long run of power by community-level investments in STEM schooling and experiential studying applications.
Micron is a worldwide semiconductor firm constructing a modern reminiscence manufacturing facility in Central New York, creating almost 50,000 jobs over the following 20-plus years. Since Micron’s mission was first introduced, the corporate has been working with main instructional establishments, workforce growth professionals, and group organizations to assist broaden the wealthy regional expertise pool to arrange and practice a extremely expert workforce.
For inquiries and registration particulars, contact Salatha Willis ([email protected]).