Syracuse, National Grid & Micron Team Up for 3rd STEM of Sports Academy
5/7/2026 2:30:00 PM | General, Academics
Syracuse Athletics, in partnership with National Grid and Micron Technology, are proud to present the third annual STEM of Sports Academy. This program creates dynamic one-day events designed to ignite curiosity and foster student engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) through the exciting world of sports this summer.Â
"From the design of helmets in football, hockey, and lacrosse to the technology behind the tablets used by Syracuse coaches, STEM is deeply woven into the fabric of sports to enhance performance and ensure athlete safety," said Robert Simmons, Vice President of U.S. Social Impact and Community Engagement at National Grid. "Our partnership with Syracuse University Athletics and the College of Engineering and Computer Science gives me great confidence that students participating in the STEM of Sports Academy will not only deepen their understanding of STEM, but also begin to see clear pathways to exciting careers in the field."Â
This educational and hands-on experience blends STEM concepts with real-world sports applications to create an engaging, immersive learning environment. The academy is open to rising 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students of all backgrounds and interest levels. No prior athletic or STEM experience is required. The goal is simple: make STEM accessible, relatable, and fun for students who enjoy sports and are curious about how science and technology shape the games they love.Â
"This initiative has been a tremendous way to bring STEM to life through its application to the world of sports," said Salatha Willis, Syracuse Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Success. "This is designed to spark curiosity, engage young minds, and ignite a lasting passion for science and technology. By combining interactive STEM activities with the energy of athletics, students will experience the joy of learning in a way that's both exciting and meaningful."Â
The academy first began in Summer 2024, when Syracuse University hosted three one-day, coeducational STEM immersion sessions at the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, welcoming 50 students per session, including one session exclusively for young women. The results were clear: when STEM is taught through the lens of sports, students retain more information and show a greater desire to learn. Importantly, the inclusive design ensured that all students—regardless of their background—could participate and benefit. Building on that success, the 2025 STEM of Sports Academy engaged hundreds of students through multiple one-day sessions at the John A. Lally Athletic Complex.
Syracuse, Micron and National Grid are building upon the success of the first two years, expecting to host as many as 1,000 students in 2026. They also continue to offer "Part Two" of the STEM of Sports Academy for the second consecutive year: a week-long, non-credit STEM of Sports Engineering Course through the University's Summer College program. Aimed at rising 10th and 11th grade students, this residential experience offers participants the opportunity to take a college-level course through the College of Engineering and Computer Science, live on campus, and take part in academic events focused on STEM and innovation.Â
"Micron is committed to helping students see themselves as part of the future of the technology industry," said Kim Burnett, Micron Social Impact and Community Engagement Lead for New York. "At the intersection of athletics and education, the STEM of Sports Academy is a unique mixture of learning and playing that allows students to gain skills that equip them to thrive in tomorrow's tech-driven world."
The curriculum for the STEM of Sports Academy was developed by Cindy Smith, Assistant Teaching Professor for the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University. Her innovative approach ensures that students not only grasp STEM concepts but also see their real-world applications in the context of sports, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for both disciplines.Â
Smith brings a wealth of expertise in Sports Engineering to the development of the STEM of Sport Academy curriculum. With a deep understanding of the intersection between sports and technology, Professor Smith is dedicated to making STEM accessible and engaging for young minds by leveraging their passion for sports as a gateway to learning. Â
"This program opens the door to STEM by channeling the energy and excitement students already have for sports into the classroom," Smith said.Â
The College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse is recognized nationally for excellence in teaching and research, balancing its commitment to excellence in education, engineering, and computer science with the leadership role it plays in exploring emerging and innovative technologies.Â
National Grid is an energy delivery company serving more than 2.3 million customers in Upstate New York. One of the company's priorities is to develop a workforce ready to engineer the future of energy through community-level investments in STEM education and experiential learning programs.
Micron is a global semiconductor company building a leading-edge memory manufacturing facility in Central New York, creating nearly 50,000 jobs over the next 20-plus years. Since Micron's project was first announced, the company has been working with leading educational institutions, workforce development professionals, and community organizations to help expand the rich regional talent pool to prepare and train a highly skilled workforce.
For inquiries and registration details, contact Salatha Willis (swillisj@syr.edu). Â
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"From the design of helmets in football, hockey, and lacrosse to the technology behind the tablets used by Syracuse coaches, STEM is deeply woven into the fabric of sports to enhance performance and ensure athlete safety," said Robert Simmons, Vice President of U.S. Social Impact and Community Engagement at National Grid. "Our partnership with Syracuse University Athletics and the College of Engineering and Computer Science gives me great confidence that students participating in the STEM of Sports Academy will not only deepen their understanding of STEM, but also begin to see clear pathways to exciting careers in the field."Â
This educational and hands-on experience blends STEM concepts with real-world sports applications to create an engaging, immersive learning environment. The academy is open to rising 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students of all backgrounds and interest levels. No prior athletic or STEM experience is required. The goal is simple: make STEM accessible, relatable, and fun for students who enjoy sports and are curious about how science and technology shape the games they love.Â
"This initiative has been a tremendous way to bring STEM to life through its application to the world of sports," said Salatha Willis, Syracuse Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Success. "This is designed to spark curiosity, engage young minds, and ignite a lasting passion for science and technology. By combining interactive STEM activities with the energy of athletics, students will experience the joy of learning in a way that's both exciting and meaningful."Â
The academy first began in Summer 2024, when Syracuse University hosted three one-day, coeducational STEM immersion sessions at the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, welcoming 50 students per session, including one session exclusively for young women. The results were clear: when STEM is taught through the lens of sports, students retain more information and show a greater desire to learn. Importantly, the inclusive design ensured that all students—regardless of their background—could participate and benefit. Building on that success, the 2025 STEM of Sports Academy engaged hundreds of students through multiple one-day sessions at the John A. Lally Athletic Complex.
Syracuse, Micron and National Grid are building upon the success of the first two years, expecting to host as many as 1,000 students in 2026. They also continue to offer "Part Two" of the STEM of Sports Academy for the second consecutive year: a week-long, non-credit STEM of Sports Engineering Course through the University's Summer College program. Aimed at rising 10th and 11th grade students, this residential experience offers participants the opportunity to take a college-level course through the College of Engineering and Computer Science, live on campus, and take part in academic events focused on STEM and innovation.Â
"Micron is committed to helping students see themselves as part of the future of the technology industry," said Kim Burnett, Micron Social Impact and Community Engagement Lead for New York. "At the intersection of athletics and education, the STEM of Sports Academy is a unique mixture of learning and playing that allows students to gain skills that equip them to thrive in tomorrow's tech-driven world."
The curriculum for the STEM of Sports Academy was developed by Cindy Smith, Assistant Teaching Professor for the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University. Her innovative approach ensures that students not only grasp STEM concepts but also see their real-world applications in the context of sports, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for both disciplines.Â
Smith brings a wealth of expertise in Sports Engineering to the development of the STEM of Sport Academy curriculum. With a deep understanding of the intersection between sports and technology, Professor Smith is dedicated to making STEM accessible and engaging for young minds by leveraging their passion for sports as a gateway to learning. Â
"This program opens the door to STEM by channeling the energy and excitement students already have for sports into the classroom," Smith said.Â
The College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse is recognized nationally for excellence in teaching and research, balancing its commitment to excellence in education, engineering, and computer science with the leadership role it plays in exploring emerging and innovative technologies.Â
National Grid is an energy delivery company serving more than 2.3 million customers in Upstate New York. One of the company's priorities is to develop a workforce ready to engineer the future of energy through community-level investments in STEM education and experiential learning programs.
Micron is a global semiconductor company building a leading-edge memory manufacturing facility in Central New York, creating nearly 50,000 jobs over the next 20-plus years. Since Micron's project was first announced, the company has been working with leading educational institutions, workforce development professionals, and community organizations to help expand the rich regional talent pool to prepare and train a highly skilled workforce.
For inquiries and registration details, contact Salatha Willis (swillisj@syr.edu). Â
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