The LA Galaxy and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), a private nonprofit university and the exclusive education partner of the club, came together this week to give 250 middle school students across Los Angeles the opportunity to take part in an exclusive supplemental curriculum called LA Galaxy STEAM (Soccer, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math).
From Oct. 23-27, the LA Galaxy STEAM program, created by the LA Galaxy Academy in conjunction with SNHU, is providing sixth- to eighth-grade students with a means of improving their academic performance through hands-on experiential learning and soccer-based lesson plans. By demonstrating the natural connection between soccer, science and mathematics, participating students will be encouraged to define and pursue better life choices, including the continuation of their education and college attendance.
The LA Galaxy STEAM curriculum itself was created by SNHU faculty in accordance with California state standards for math and science and is providing students with enriching materials that supplement and enhance the current coursework being taught in school. The interactive classes are taking place onsite at StubHub Center and include lesson plans such as “technology and the various states of a soccer ball,” “the math behind scoring a goal,” “nutrition and your lives on the field,” and a “soccer design challenge,” to name a few.
“This program’s goal is to make learning fun and engaging,” said Steve Thiel, senior director of strategic partnerships, SNHU.“STEAM outcomes, when learned at an early age, create lasting opportunities for these students. Ultimately, we believe learning can and should be fun, and partnering with the Galaxy gives us the perfect opportunity to create a fun experience for these students.”
The first Galaxy STEAM week kicked off with an opening ceremony on Tuesday, October 24, with LA Galaxy and SNHU representatives, families and students in attendance. The program will host 50 local students per day, over the course of the week.
“The curriculum that SNHU and the LA Galaxy Foundation have created combines the best parts of the classroom with one of the students’ favorite hobbies – soccer,” said Chris Klein, president, LA Galaxy. “The LA Galaxy Foundation is dedicated to promoting education throughout the community, and we are privileged to work alongside such a qualified partner like SNHU.”
While the LA Galaxy Foundation and Academy work on numerous projects aimed at elementary and high-school-aged students, the Galaxy STEAM program will focus on middle school, specifically – a critical time for students to begin developing a passion for STEAM and laying the foundation for successful educational trajectories.
The lessons aim to demonstrate how students’ interests and strengths can be applied to areas in which they may be underperforming academically, and also encourage them to find a new appreciation for learning in a way that’s both fun and sustainable. Participation in the Galaxy STEAM program has the potential to improve academic achievement, provide a path to college and elevate socioeconomic status by translating the love of soccer into an appreciation, understanding and passion for the science and mathematics underlying the sport.
