By @MichaelCaples –
Ever think that you would have a better chance of understanding what your teacher was saying if he or she was putting everything in hockey terms?
A few lucky kids will get that chance.
The Detroit Red Wings, the National Hockey League Players’ Association and the NHL have announced the launch of “The Hockey Scholar,” a new “hockey-themed educational course in conjunction with the NHL & NHLPA Future Goals Program™, designed to enable elementary and middle school students to develop important science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills and understand the real world application of these disciplines.”
The Wings’ Niklas Kronwall and Justin Abdelkader will be on hand at one elementary school next Tuesday to introduce the new program to children. They will spend time with the students in the classroom and then hold an assembly in the gymnasium that will feature a shootout between teachers and students.
“We’re excited to continue to bring the Red Wings into the classroom for students throughout the state of Michigan to help them learn the critical skills of science, technology, engineering and math through the game of hockey,” said Tom Wilson, President and CEO of Olympia Entertainment. “The Future Goals program provides a fun way for students to expand on what they’re learning in the classroom through a cutting-edge digital learning environment.”
“The Hockey Scholar” course is designed to take students through an “educational journey” with the goal of winning the Stanley Cup. Students will lead their favorite NHL team by completing 12 learning modules that focus on data analysis, geometry and life science and physical science topics. These educational necessities will be taught through the dynamics of a hockey ice surface, equipment design, athletic performance and geometric and energy considerations to detail how the game is played on the ice.
“The level of engagement in this program from the league, the players, and their clubs is unprecedented in the sports world,” said EverFi Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Jon Chapman. “What’s most important is how this partnership is making a difference for thousands of students and teachers across North America.”
The new curriculum works with state math and science standards and is available free of charge to elementary and middle schools (grades 4-7) across North America. The course was developed by Washington, D.C.-based EverFi, a critical skills education leader that has certified more than 12 million learners.