Oak Grove School Education Foundation Brings the "Science of Sport" to Teach Kids about STEM

Training Session Scheduled for April 10, 2014 at Oak Grove School in Green Oaks, IL

Green Oaks, IL – April 8, 2014 - If you ask your average fourth grade sports fanatic to recount their weekend, it is probably filled with numbers – Paul Konerko’s RBI, Jay Cutler’s passing percentage or the speed of Jeff Samardzija’s fastball.  If you ask them if they finished their math homework, you may get a blank stare. 

This is the basis of “The Science of Sport”, Ricardo Valerdi’s curriculum which immerses students in all things Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) by teaching them through America’s favorite pastimes.  The Oak Grove School Education Foundation is excited to welcome Valerdi, creator of the “Science of Sport” curriculum for teachers, to a train-the-trainer program on April 10th at Oak Grove School in Green Oaks, IL.  The curriculum is based on the Arizona Diamondbacks Science of Baseball program also founded by Valerdi, an engineering professor at the University of Arizona (http://rvalerdi.faculty.arizona.edu/). 

“Today’s core curriculum puts a heavy emphasis on STEM, which is critical in preparing kids for the future job market,” said Valerdi.  “We link concepts from the core curriculum, such as numeracy -- which is about being able to use math to make decisions in real life -- to sports.  Angles, trajectories, velocity, statistics – these are all scientific concepts that when related to sports, keeps kids intrigued and engaged…and learning.”

Valerdi first introduced the “Science of Sport” to teachers at Oak Grove School last spring through a grant from the Oak Grove School Education foundation.  Valerdi trained a group of teachers on his curriculum, which they quickly integrated into their teaching methods.  “The kids absolutely loved these classes,” said Cathie Saia, a teacher at Oak Grove School.  “By introducing science and math concepts through engaging activities such as weight shifting for hitters and reaction time for catchers, you could really see the students making connections.  Abstract topics were made concrete and the kids were able to see how math and science are core to the sports they love.  We had such a positive response from the kids, teachers and parents, we brought the program back this year to integrate into other grade levels.” 

At the April 10th training session, Oak Grove School teachers will leave the training session with a comprehensive curriculum manual and additional tools to use with their students, including the water balloon launchers, baseball cards, protractors, calculators, a bathroom scale, and heart rate monitors.

“The Oak Grove School Education Foundation is chartered to fund innovative teacher-driven curriculum enhancements centered on STEM and other components of the core curriculum,” said Cynthia Gleason, the Foundation’s president.  “We are thrilled to be able to support the “Science of Sport” at Oak Grove School, which gives our kids an advantage in the learning process.”

Schools around the country and abroad can expect to see this curriculum soon.  Valerdi is in negotiations with the Red Sox, Nationals, Padres, and Angels to establish similar programs in their home markets.

Media is invited to attend.  For more information, please contact lford@bbmktg.com.

About Oak Grove School Education Foundation (OGSEF)
OGSEF’s vision is to create a model school that inspires future leaders and engages our community. With the help of the community residents and businesses, OGSEF invests in students, teachers, and administration at Oak Grove School by funding initiatives focused on Innovation, Collaboration, Creativity, and Learning Enrichment.  OGSEF funds targeted program grants focused on Engaging, Empowering, and Inspiring children and teachers to advance to new levels of learning. OGSEF is a 501(c)3 non-for-profit organization.  For more information, please visit www.ogsef.org.