BUFFALO, N.Y. (March 19, 2015) — The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team hosted more than 300 local students who are participating in the NHL and NHLPA Future Goals program at First Niagara Center today. Future Goals focuses on using the game of hockey to teach science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM).
“We are very excited to welcome these students to First Niagara Center for a morning of STEM education and hockey,” said Sabres chief development officer Cliff Benson. “We hope to showcase some of the many areas where hockey and STEM intersect by giving the students some tangible examples of what they’ve been learning about this year.”
Students will hear from a panel of former NHL players Kevyn Adams and Martin Biron, as well as broadcaster Brian Duff and equipment manager Dave Williams, as they discuss how hockey teaches fundamental STEM concepts. The students will then have a chance to watch the Sabres practice from the arena bowl.
The program, which launched this year, consists of students from the Buffalo Public School District. These students are currently utilizing the Future Goals curriculum or are slated to begin with the Future Goals – Hockey Scholar course that will be available in the fall of 2015.
“Events like this with high profile community figures make a big impact on our children,” interim superintendent Donald A. Ogilvie said. “They illustrate the invaluable relationship between what they learn in the classroom and a prestigious and lucrative career ladder. STEM education, coupled with its application in real world situations and careers, helps students to understand that they can use what they know in order to pursue successful careers and become productive adults.”
Future Goals is a partnership between the Buffalo Sabres, the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association. Through the Future Goals digital learning initiative, students will build their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills using the fast-paced, exciting game of hockey as a learning vehicle. The program is committed to sparking student interest in STEM topics and helping students become college-ready, career-ready and life-ready.
