Movies and TV shows portray the stereotype of jocks and nerds as people who are completely different and share nothing in common. But this cliché is far from the truth! Brainpower and physical power go hand in hand – the subjects we learn in the classroom connect with the sports we watch and compete in.
STEM can be found almost everywhere. Science, technology, engineering, and math are woven into every sport and athletic competition! Put your hands in as we learn about hands on!
The ability to tie STEM to real-life application is the best! And, there are loads of learning connections behind scoring a touchdown, making a slam dunk, and hitting a home run. Getting kids excited about learning can sometimes be hard, but when they watch or take part in their favorite sport, they won’t even notice they are learning! Bring the fun to learning by exploring the parallels between STEM and sports:
I think you get the idea! STEM principles are in every facet of sports. And the best part? Students will have a blast learning!
Most sports across the country shut down during 2020, but one that stood the test of a pandemic was electronic sports (esports). Esports involves organized video game competitions between both amateur and professional gamers. And, the competition of esports is broadening to a larger audience every day. Even universities and schools have begun to offer clubs and leagues! However, many people are skeptical and question if there should there be a place for esports and video games in the classroom.
“Part of the beauty of esports in schools, many supporters explain, lies in the diverse supporting roles that are critical to the activity. At tournaments, ‘a variety of kids from every walk of life come together and really celebrate one another, with great sportsmanship and great skill,’ says Steve Hickman, also a coordinator for educational technology at the Riverside County Office of Education in California.”
– ‘Diverse students find a home in esports’ (Edutopia)
Ready to start an esports team? Check out this Edutopia article.
Learn more about video games in the classroom with these blogs:
“Video games in the classroom? – Leveling up on on workforce skills”
“Video gaming brings STEM skills to life”
Along with sports comes competition. A bit of healthy competition is good for everyone – it can give you the drive to work hard and the perseverance to strive toward the end goal. Competition can also help in a student’s learning environment! The Institute of Competition Sciences shares the research-based ways competition can be beneficial to students:
FIRST® founder Dean Kamen has said robotics is the the only sport where everyone can go pro. In FIRST, or other robotics competitions, science, technology, and engineering are showcased and celebrated like traditional sports. Students practice, train, and compete (even in an arena) just like they would in other sporting events. The skills they develop can benefit them in the competition and well beyond the playing field into their futures. And, unlike other athletic pursuits, all students – no matter their background or physical ability – can participate and be recognized for their work.
Want to dive deeper into each of these areas? Read “10 ways competitions enhance learning” to learn more about competition in education!
We’d love to know how you are connecting sports to STEM in your learning environment. Comment below or tag us on social to share!
Sources:
“Esports and STEM education: A 2020 perspective”
“Understanding esports as a STEM career ready curriculum in the wild”