Increase Student Awareness of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Fields as a Future Education and Career Option

America’s favorite pastime has been shown to be an effective subject to expose children to math and science, as evidenced by other successful programs Science of Sport has been running throughout the country. In this same spirit, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation program allows students to learn and apply basic academic concepts through hands-on application on the field. We strive to expose students to STEM fields and help them understand, visualize, and integrate the connection between baseball, science, and mathematics through various learning styles (i.e., visual, kinesthetic, auditory). These hands-on experiences encourage continued involvement and enrollment in math and science classes that will promote academic and career pursuits in related fields.

Motivate Students to Excel Despite Obstacles

In addition to the program's academic objectives, a parallel objective is to motivate students to excel despite social, economic, and cultural obstacles (either real or imaginary) that may prevent them from advancing their education.

Provide a Measurable Opportunity for Individual Transformation

The program strives to provide a life-changing transformative experience for elementary and middle school students. Many of the targeted students could be the first in their families to pursue a college education. Participation in the program provides an ideal opportunity to encourage an educational path that might seem unimaginable or perceived as impossible. A specific objective is to measure the program's impact on students’ academic performance and life choices. This goal can be accomplished by assessing each student’s math and science comprehension levels at the beginning of the program, at the end of the program, and six months after the program. We also interview the students, their teachers, and their families to determine other intangible impacts resulting from their participation in the program.

Host Unique Learning Opportunities for Students

Through field trips and different community events, we will create unique learning experiences for students that help them improve academically and understand how they can use baseball and softball examples to do this.