Using football to break down the understanding of science

Using football to break down the understanding of science

On the 28th of January 2021, EFDN and Sphero will host the first virtual EFDN STEM Network Conference. The aim of the event is to share information on STEM education, our new EFDN STEM Football & Education programme and membership in the EFDN STEM Network. Interested EFDN members can register here.

We have asked expert Matt Mead, Sphero Sports Partnerships Manager, about the importance of STEM Education, the opportunities for football organisations, and the impact of existing collaborations so far.

• Why is STEM Education more important than ever? The world is moving at a quicker pace than at any previous period of our time and young minds of the early 21st century need to be taught the critical STEM skills that will help them navigate through the modern-day world and be proactive within the future technology economy. This is where skills and understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics become so important to a young person and their learning experience. Via STEM learning, children are taught how to be critical thinkers, to be creative, to ask questions based on experiences that solve problems, to show resilience, communicate and collaborate effectively, whilst working on complex tasks. All these skills are essential for today and tomorrow, and by developing these critical skills, young learners will develop a better digital intelligence which will yield greater opportunities in the future labour market and ever-evolving digital world. 

• Why should clubs, leagues and FAs start delivering STEM education programmes? When you break down the understanding of STEM education, remove the fear of the subject and align it to sports, whether playing football or behind the scenes, people start to see the obvious connection and benefits of aligning football and STEM. The world needs more critical thinkers and people who will proactively work and drive forward innovation and solve problems, as we progress through the 21st century. By using football to break down the understanding of science and physics, by explaining the mechanics of gravity and drag from a football being passed across the field, to developing engineering knowledge via stadia and infrastructure design, to coding and software understanding to help build apps or platforms to solve business problems, or design a new club website or online shopping store, STEM education can bring this interest and learning to life through football, and engage a young person through the excitement, connection and enjoyment of football and their favourite team. 

• What kind of feedback did you receive so far from partner organisations clubs, schools and beneficiaries? As teams have only just started to deliver Sphero Sports, we have not yet been able to gather data and feedback on the sessions formally, however via social media posts and direct feedback when speaking to the teams the response has been extremely positive. Comments from teachers such as “incredible engagement”, “the perfect blend of sport and coding and have simply blown the minds of the students”, “Sphero Sports provides a great way for students to get hands-on with technology and to learn all about science, technology, engineering and mathematics that brings learning to life” and “we found it be wonderfully informative for our children”, “we found it to be an incredible experience, for raising their aspirations, engagement and excitement with technology”.   From the students “we’ve been playing with cool robots and I learned how to score a goal and do a fun goal celebration”, “it’s really fun, and you get to learn lots about things you never knew.”

Participate in the first virtual EFDN STEM Network! EFDN members can sign up here.