Science of Baseball Braves Partnership
In the Spring of 2017, Cobb Schools partnered with the Atlanta Braves and Comcast to provide schools with an amazing STEM learning opportunity called the Science of Sport. This program integrates Math and Science concepts with Physical Education standards in a STEM focused project based learning approach for students. During the course of the program, students have fun studying concepts like the physics behind a fastball, the geometry of a baseball field, and the statistical analysis of baseball records. Phase I of this partnership provided the Science of Sport program to 8 Cobb middle schools - Dickerson, Dodgen, Griffin, Lost Mountain, Lovinggood, Mabry, McClure, and Simpson. These schools sent 3 person teams - math teacher, science teacher & PE teacher to a full day training on the Science of Baseball. It was an immediate hit with our teachers. Mabry MS worked with the TC Show to create this overview video of the amazing Science of Baseball program.
Dickerson Middle School is one of eight Cobb County middle schools that are implementing the Science of Baseball program this year. “We chose this curriculum because of the high quality of the lesson plans…and because it allows for school-wide integration,” stated Dr. Carol Brink, principal at Dickerson Middle School.
Teachers are able to adapt the lesson plans to meet their own needs, and the Science of Sport, along with the Braves, provide many of the resources necessary to execute the lessons. “It’s as if this program was handmade just for us,” said Brink.
The Braves have been fabulous partners as we have rolled out this new program. Any ideas, needs or requests have been met with positive attitudes and willingness. As part of the program, students participated in a STEM Showcase at SunTrust Park. For many of our students this was the first time they had attended a Major League baseball game. It was great to watch the students during the game. They were discussing the math and science of each player's strike zone or angle at which they hit the ball.
The Importance of STEM Education
STEM infused learning is important because “it creates opportunities that allow students to build critical skills essential for today’s workforce, including critical thinking, communication and collaboration”, Dr. Sally Creel, STEM & Innovation Supervisor for Cobb County Schools. It’s important to focus on middle school students because numerous research studies report that students lose interest in STEM fields during the middle school years.
To foster student engagement in STEM subjects, Cobb County is planning to expand the Science of Baseball to all 25 middle schools over time. Cobb County is currently looking to partner with other local professional sports teams including the Atlanta Hawks, the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta United FC.
Teachers are able to adapt the lesson plans to meet their own needs, and the Science of Sport, along with the Braves, provide many of the resources necessary to execute the lessons. “It’s as if this program was handmade just for us,” said Brink.
The Braves have been fabulous partners as we have rolled out this new program. Any ideas, needs or requests have been met with positive attitudes and willingness. As part of the program, students participated in a STEM Showcase at SunTrust Park. For many of our students this was the first time they had attended a Major League baseball game. It was great to watch the students during the game. They were discussing the math and science of each player's strike zone or angle at which they hit the ball.
The Importance of STEM Education
STEM infused learning is important because “it creates opportunities that allow students to build critical skills essential for today’s workforce, including critical thinking, communication and collaboration”, Dr. Sally Creel, STEM & Innovation Supervisor for Cobb County Schools. It’s important to focus on middle school students because numerous research studies report that students lose interest in STEM fields during the middle school years.
To foster student engagement in STEM subjects, Cobb County is planning to expand the Science of Baseball to all 25 middle schools over time. Cobb County is currently looking to partner with other local professional sports teams including the Atlanta Hawks, the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta United FC.
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For more information on the Science of Sport program
Contact: Aron Rooze, Southeast Regional Dir, [email protected], 678-637-4439 URL: www.sciencesport.org Org video: https://youtu.be/bHKcBdNDhCY Twitter: @sciencebaseball, @sport_steam FB: @scienceofsportse |
For more information on the Atlanta Braves
Contact: Janet Sevilla, Community Affairs Manager [email protected], 404 -614-1435 SunTrust Park 755 Battery Avenue Atlanta, GA 30339 URL: https://www.mlb.com/braves Twitter: @Braves |