Detroit Lions Join STEM Professionals To Inspire DPS Students
By Edward Cardenas
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Detroit Public Schools students will have a unique opportunity to learn more about the importance of a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education from a diverse group of professionals.
Athletes for Charity, Tata Technologies and the Detroit Lions have joined together to help expose students to STEM, while also developing their skills in reading and writing.
"The demand for skilled workers in science, technology, engineering, and math is on the rise while the availability of qualified applicants is on the decline because students are not pursuing degrees and careers within the sector," said Alisa Harewood of Tata Technologies, a global engineering services company with North American headquarters located in Novi, in a release.
Clark Preparatory Academy and Dixon Educational Learning Academy were the first two schools selected for the inaugural launch of the STEM Youth Literacy Program.
The program aims to improve learning outcomes and student interest in science, technology, engineering and math, while creating pathways to success in post-secondary education and 21st century careers, according to organizers.
"Our goal is to invest time and resources into the development of creative and effective approaches to STEM education," said Cathleen Laporte, founder and president of Athletes for Charity in a release. "Our partnership with Tata Technologies and the Detroit Lions represent an innovative way to fuse the nonprofit, corporate and sports sectors, to motivate students in the areas of STEM."
The curriculum includes monthly book distributions by various Detroit Lions players, coordinated by Lions safety Don Carey, to deliver age-appropriate STEM-related titles to students.
Introductions to STEM literature and careers will be a recurring theme throughout the 10-month long program with Tata Technologies staff and various Detroit Lions players volunteering their time to serve as STEM Readers.
The program will feature monthly vocabulary development and drawing contests for pre-kindergarten and first grade, and essay contests for second through fifth grades to help develop reading and comprehension skills.
Academic incentives will include tickets to Lions, Pistons and Tigers games; autographed items from sports professionals and LEGO products and field trips to local educational institutions.
