The LA Galaxy and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) gave 250 middle school students across Los Angeles the opportunity to participate last month in an exclusive curriculum called LA Galaxy STEAM (Soccer, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math), which was aimed at providing the student hands-on learning with soccer-based lesson plans.
The courses, which were created by SNHU faculty in accordance with California state standards for math and science, include “technology and the various states of a soccer ball,” “the math behind scoring a goal,” “nutrition and your lives on the field,” and a “soccer design challenge.”
During the soccer activities, which took place at the StubHub Center, students applied scientific and mathematical principles. They started off by kicking soccer balls with varying air pressures and recording how far the ball traveled. Another exercise included kicking balls at the goal and recording how many went into the net. Those measurements were later used to calculate the ratio of shots on goal as well as determining how fast a ball had traveled based on the distance it traveled and time it took to get there.
“This program’s goal is to make learning fun and engaging,” Steve Thiel, SNHU senior director of strategic partnerships, said in a statement. “STEAM outcomes, when learned at an early age, create lasting opportunities for these students. Ultimately, we believe learning can and should be fun, and partnering with the Galaxy gives us the perfect opportunity to create a fun experience for these students.”
