The board game uses NBA and WNBA statistics to help the player learn fundamental math skills in a fun and engaging way.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers and the Lilly Foundation have teamed up to launch the “NBA Math Hoops Program.” Math and basketball are two subjects that sixth grade students at Daniel Webster School do not play.
On Thursday, they got a little help with their math lessons from the pros at the Pacers Foundation and the Lilly Foundation through a game called NBA Math Hoops.
The board game uses NBA and WNBA statistics to help the player learn fundamental math skills in a fun and engaging way.
“Basketball is kind of related to math because you have to add up the points,” said sixth-grader Isabella Vasco.
The foundations of the event hope it will reinforce the importance of STEM and its usefulness on and off the pitch.
“It can take you this far. Math is in everything you do, whether you’re on the court or off it,” said Corey Wilson, vice president of community engagement for the Pacers Foundation.
Indiana Fever star Danielle Robinson said growing up she also loved math and saw herself in the students in the hall.
“It’s very important to invest in young people. Young people are the future,” Robinson said.
The game not only taught them math, but also sportsmanship. The students signed a sportsmanship contract before the start of the game.
“They’re so eager to learn at this age, pretty much life,” Robinson said.
The sixth graders enjoyed the opportunity to show off their hoop skills. They plan to take the lesson and share it with their friends and anyone else who might be struggling with math.
Over the next four years, the Pacers Foundation plans to work with IPS to implement the program throughout the school district.
