The science fair is a contest powered by EverFi. It gives students from the Future Goals Hockey Scholar program -- a custom online learning program that uses hockey to teach critical science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to students in grades 4-8 -- the chance to show how STEM can enhance the game experience in three categories: virtual fan engagement, sustainability and technology/innovation.
Students can submit their projects through an
online registration process
that begins Monday and runs through Jan. 15, 2021. Winners will be notified and announced by March 15, 2021.
Entrants have the chance to win prizes, including a MacBook Air laptop, an adjustable desk, AirPods and NHL club-branded school supplies.
"For this science fair, [it's] to get the inclusion of the kids, to really help shape the future of it, to have some fun, learn about the game a little more, sharpen the brain, do some online interactions and then have some really cool prizes," said former NHL goalie Marty Turco, president of the Dallas Stars Foundation and an advocate of the Future Goals program. "At the end of the day, the students are the ultimate winners. They're going to learn a little more about one of the greatest games on the planet. But obviously it's about the brain activity, getting better, getting smarter and letting them know the world of STEM is out there to be had, and that can be fun too."
There are two categories for judging: students in grades 4-6 and those in grades 7-8.
"I believe it really represents an opportunity for us collectively, and more importantly, an opportunity for students who have gone through Future Goals or are currently going through Future Goals to have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in really creative ways that only further draw synergy between the sport of hockey and STEM concepts.," NHLPA manager of special projects Rob Zepp said. "I'm really excited to see submissions that come in and when we get down to the final few, I'm sure they're going to blow us away."
NHL director of youth development and industry growth Aliya Meaney said it's a great activity for students to do with their families during the holidays.
"That's the timing behind it -- making sure it's open during the holiday breaks so families can get together and students can share their concepts and creativity," she said. "Students can show their parents what they're working on and demonstrate their learnings from the Future Goals program."
Since 2014, more than 3.1 million students have participated in the Future Goals program, accounting for more than 6.5 million hours of learning. Students who have participated in the program saw their STEM skills increase by 82 percent, and 93 percent of teachers who incorporated it into their students' course work said they would recommend the program to fellow teachers.
Olivia Zehner, director of enterprise account management at EverFi, is excited about the possibilities of the virtual science fair.
"We've worked with some of our sister companies across the pond where they've done some science projects in general, so it'll be really interesting to see that we're able to do the science project but connect it with sport, and use hockey as that lever," she said. "I think the NHL and [the NHLPA] are excited to see what comes in and highlight some of these projects and submissions."
