PHOENIX - Throughout the Arizona Diamondbacks' 20th anniversary this year, the team and Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation will focus on several educational programs and initiatives throughout the season. Education continues to be an area of focus for the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and since its inception in 1997, the Foundation and the D-backs have donated more than $55 million to support three main areas of need: homelessness, indigent healthcare and children's programs of all types, including education and youth baseball field development. Among the many D-backs programs that support education in Arizona are:
School Challenge, presented by University of Phoenix
In 2012, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation partnered with University of Phoenix to launch the D-backs School Challenge, a statewide grant program that challenged public, private and charter schools to "make their best pitch" for a $5,000 grant. The charitable grants have helped schools from across the state with innovative programs such as vocational activities for special education students, digital sculpting for animation art classes, community gardens, after school fitness classes and much more. Through the School Challenge program, the D-backs have provided more than 180 schools with grants for an overall monetary commitment of more than $850,000 since the program launched in 2012. The D-backs will begin to accept applications at dbacks.com/schoolchallenge beginning in June through late September.
Most Valuable Teachers, supported by Papa John's
The D-backs and Papa John's recognizes 10 Most Valuable Teachers at a D-backs game each month. From the 50 Most Valuable Teachers monthly winners, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation will select the Most Valuable Teacher of the Year who will win a $5,000 grant for their classroom. Parents and students are encouraged to nominate their favorite teacher to receive a $1,000 grant for school supplies, a Papa John's Pizza Party for their class and be honored at a D-backs game in 2018. The D-backs are currently accepting nominations at dbacks.com/mvt.
Science of Baseball Program, presented by Chase and Insight
Launched in 2013, the Arizona Diamondbacks Science of Baseball presented by Chase and Insight, is a series of programs and initiatives that promote the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The Arizona Diamondbacks Science of Baseball is available to schools at no charge and provides a mechanism for elementary and middle school students to improve their academic performance. The goal is to translate the American love of baseball into an appreciation, understanding, and passion of the science and mathematics underlying the sport. This season-long program aims to engage and empower students with a university research-based curriculum, designed with College Professor and STEM Expert Ricardo Valerdi. To date, more than 9,000 students, 300 teachers, and 200 schools have participated in the program. Throughout the season, the D-backs host teacher training sessions in which each teacher receives STEM training, a curriculum booklet and a supply kit to teach the Science of Baseball in their classroom. The next teacher training session will take place on April 21 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Game Seven Grill.
Science of Baseball STEM Showcase
For the past four seasons, the D-backs have hosted Arizona students and their families as part of the Science of Baseball and STEM Showcase, presented by Chase and Insight. The students and teachers participate in a pregame STEM parade around the field and receive a free D-backs Science of Baseball T-shirt, courtesy of Chase. Each year, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and Chase present 10 STEM clubs and teachers with a $2,500 grant to support their projects, totaling $25,000. Prior to the game, fans are encouraged to visit the interactive exhibits operated by STEM club students and teachers and meet with experts in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math throughout Chase Field. For more information, visit dbacks.com/scienceofbaseball.
Teacher Appreciation Day
The D-backs will host Teacher Appreciation Day on Aug. 26 and will include a special giveaway for teachers. As details come together, more information about the special event package can be found at dbacks.com/events.
Phoenix Union Student Government Grants
The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation will provide 19 schools in the Phoenix Union High School District with a $1,000 grant for Student Government developed projects or programs. The Student Government projects will look to improve Student Leadership, Campus Culture, Student Engagement, Inclusiveness and an Overall Sense of Student Safety & Well-Being on campus. The D-backs will recognize more than 800 students before the game on April 18.
Field Trip Days
Throughout the season, the D-backs host Field Trip Days for students grades K-8th grade with the focus on specific educational topics. Most recently, the D-backs hosted Weather & Science Day for more than 1,000 elementary and middle school students highlighted by presentations from the Arizona Science Center and 3TV Meteorologist Kim Quintero. The next Field Trip Day will focus on STEM and take place on Sept. 12 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Chase Field. The STEM Field Trip Day will feature the D-backs Science of Baseball show and STEM festival that will allow local students to engage in hands on STEM activities throughout the ballpark.
School Fundraising Days
The D-backs host many School Fundraising Days throughout the season to help schools raise money for supplies, programs, technology, or any other need they may have. For every ticket sold through the program, the D-backs will donate $5 back to the school. All students from participating schools have the option to participate in a pre-game parade around the warning track at each School Fundraising Day. The next School Fundraising Day will be May 11.
D-backs License Plates
In 2007, the D-backs became the first professional sports team in Arizona to partner with Arizona's Department of Motor Vehicles to offer a branded license plate and the funds raised through the program benefits education programs throughout Arizona. There are more than 10,000 D-backs license plates generating approximately $170,000 annually and since 2007, more than $1.7 million has been donated to education programs in the local community through the program. In 2016, the D-backs launched an updated version of the popular license plate that reflects the team's current color scheme and uniforms.
Chase Your Dreams
In 2015, the D-backs and Chase launched the "Chase Your Dreams" program, a commitment from Chase and the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation to revitalize struggling high school baseball and softball programs in Arizona. The program launched with 11 high schools from the Phoenix Union High School District and provides each school with financial support, equipment and supplies, facility improvements, coaches training, athlete training, field maintenance training and fun baseball experiences designed to increase their level of commitment and engagement. Since its inception, the D-backs and Chase have made donations exceeding $500,000 to 41 high schools in Arizona.
Outstanding Students
Throughout the season, the D-backs will recognize students that show significant improvement or achieve "Honor Roll" status in a special pregame ceremony. Students that qualify get one free ticket and parents, family and friends get discounted tickets. This year's Outstanding Students games will be held on July 1, July 7, Aug. 4 and Aug. 21.
Teaming Up for Education Scholarship, presented by University of Phoenix
The Arizona Diamondbacks, University of Phoenix and Paul Goldschmidt have teamed up since 2015 to offer fans an opportunity to receive one of five full-tuition scholarships to University of Phoenix. The five full-tuition scholarships enable recipients to pursue their dreams of either completing a bachelor's or master's degree at University of Phoenix, where Goldschmidt received his bachelors of science degree in management in 2013. For more information, visit phoenix.edu/dbacks.
500 Club Reading Program
The 500 Club Reading Program, presented by University of Phoenix, is a reading program that rewards students with complimentary D-backs game tickets. The program is designed to promote regular reading and encourages students to read 20 minutes per day and rewards students that complete 500 minutes of reading. For more information, visit dbacks.com/500club.