From the aerodynamics of a pitch to the angle of a center fielder tracking down a ball or the engineering behind safer batting helmets, the principles of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) factor into every baseball play. Through the Pirates partnership with Chevron and the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, students, teachers, and baseball fans visiting PNC Park can learn more about the science of sports in the new STEM Zone experience that launched today ahead of a 10-game homestand.
Local Chevron employees joined representatives from the Pirates and the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh to open the Chevron STEM Zone -- an experiential, hands-on learning exhibit along PNC Park's Riverwalk. The engaging multimedia area incorporates Chevron's Game On baseball learning experience to demonstrate the science of the game.
"We're excited to team with the Pirates and the Children's Museum on this creative approach that takes STEM education beyond the classroom and into an area where children can learn and have fun," said Stacey Olson, President of Chevron Appalachia. "Showing students the ways in which key science and math principles are applied in sports can be a powerful learning tool and we're proud to make this innovative investment in our region's future."
PNC Park is the first Major League Baseball stadium to host a stationary Chevron STEM Zone display that will be open before and during all Pirates home games. The STEM Zone and Game On initiatives have been featured at MLB, National Football League and PGA Tour events across the country.
"We appreciate Chevron's generous support of this project that perfectly aligns with our commitment to youth programs focused on education," said Pittsburgh Pirates President Frank Coonelly. "We have one of the best ballparks in baseball and this exhibit further adds to the family-centered experience fans can expect while at PNC Park. Through community partnerships like this, we can create better opportunities for children across the community."
PNC Park's STEM Zone, designed in cooperation with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, includes educational exercises like a measuring wall, interactive displays using baseball equipment and statistics, and opportunities to take photos for sharing on social media with the #STEMMVP hashtag.
"Through this installation we can extend the reach of our interactive learning experiences beyond the museum environment to more places where children and families play," said Jane Werner, Executive Director of the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. "We thank Chevron and the Pirates for their shared commitment to promoting innovative learning."
For more information on Pirates Charities and the initiatives they support, visit Pirates.com/community. To learn more about Chevron's STEM Zone initiative, visit chevronstemzone.com.