College Sports

STEM of Sports Academy Presented by National Grid

In Summer 2024, Syracuse University’s Athletic department, in strategic partnership with Micron Technology, launched the STEM of Sports Academy; a pioneering initiative designed to foster early interest in STEM education by integrating it with one of the most engaging cultural touchpoints among youth, sports. The program serves as both an educational experience and a […]

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In Summer 2024, Syracuse University’s Athletic department, in strategic partnership with Micron Technology, launched the STEM of Sports Academy; a pioneering initiative designed to

foster early interest in STEM education by integrating it with one of the most engaging cultural touchpoints among youth, sports.


The program serves as both an educational experience and a long‐term workforce development strategy, with a focus on students from Syracuse’s urban core and underrepresented

communities. In its pilot year, the academy not only achieved its core objectives, but it delivered promising results that justify significant expansion and further support.

Strategic Alignment and Program Rationale:

The STEM of Sports Academy directly supports Corporate Sponsors and Syracuse University priorities in the following areas:

  • Access and Inclusion: The program is intentionally inclusive, welcoming students regardless of prior academic performance or athletic participation.
  • K–12 Pipeline Development: It initiates a structured engagement pipeline into higher education and high‐growth STEM career paths.
  • Community Engagement: It strengthens the civic footprint and positions sponsors and Syracuse University as proactive leaders in regional youth development in STEM.
  • Workforce Readiness: It aligns with national and state‐level objectives for STEM talent development, particularly in advanced technology and semiconductor sectors.

“This initiative makes STEM accessible by connecting it to students’ lived experiences. It’s a compelling model for community impact and workforce development.”
— Professor Cindy Smith, Curriculum Director, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Program Implementation:

In summer 2024, Syracuse University Athletics hosted three 1‐day, coeducational STEM immersion sessions at the Lally Athletics Complex. Each session welcomed 50 students, with

one day exclusively for female participants. Programming was designed and led by faculty from the College of Engineering and Computer Science, in collaboration with Syracuse student-athlete

leaders.

Core Activities Included:

  • Engineering through Play: The Egg Drop Challenge taught basic design and testing principles.
  • Sports Technology Labs: Students explored real‐time impact sensors and athletic performance software.
  • Physics of Movement: Sessions in running and jumping mechanics connected physics to daily life.
  • Mentorship and Exploration: Campus tours and student‐athlete interactions offered exposure to collegiate life.

“Students were not passive learners; they were collaborators, thinkers, and designers. It transformed how they view both education and career possibilities.”
— Salatha Willis, Associate Athletics Director

Quantitative Outcomes ‐ Key Metrics from 2024 Post‐Program Survey (98 responses):

  • 91% reported increased interest in STEM disciplines.
  • 87% indicated a better understanding of STEM concepts.
  • 79% expressed interest in pursuing STEM courses or careers.
  • The majority found the real‐world applications of STEM both relevant and inspiring
  • Over 90% rated the instructors and student‐athlete mentors as highly effective.
  • Participants engaging in the Egg Drop Challenge which measures impact while encouraging creativity and engineering.

The data confirms that when STEM content is contextualized through sports, students not only retain more, but they want to learn more. This level of impact was particularly notable given the
program’s inclusivity: no prior STEM or athletic experience was required, ensuring accessibility to all students regardless of background.

Future Programming Vision:

The STEM of Sports Academy is not an endpoint. It is the foundation for a scalable, multi‐year STEM learning ecosystem designed to serve students through high school graduation and into post-secondary and workforce pathways.

Planned Pipeline Progression:

1. STEM of Sports Day Academy + High School Visits (9th–10th grades)

2. Summer College Non‐Credit STEM Academy (10th–11th grades)

3. Summer College STEM for Credit Program (11th–12th grades)

4. Pre‐College STEM Internships (Graduating seniors)

5. College Transition Program (First‐year university support)

In 2025, 20 students from the 2024 pilot will receive full scholarships for the weeklong STEM of

Sports Summer College Experience.

Partnership & Investment Strategy:

The pilot year was made possible by seed funding and programmatic support from Micron Technology. In 2025, National Grid is expected to assume the role of primary sponsor, enabling

the program to expand while maintaining Micron’s critical involvement in mentorship and semiconductor career exploration.

“Micron’s partnership with Syracuse University Athletics and the College of Engineering reflects our commitment to inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders in Central New York.”

— Dr. Kim Burnet, Micron Social Impact and Community Engagement



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