The San Francisco 49ers education consulting venture, EDU Academy, today announced a partnership with The Chelsea Foundation to deliver unique educational programming to young people in the Bay Area and London, beginning in April with a two-day clinic for youth at Chelsea's iconic Stamford Bridge. Leveraging programming components from 49ers EDU, which teaches youth about the concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) and how it relates to football, the ground-breaking STEAM education alliance will continue both organizations' ongoing commitment to enhancing educational opportunity for youth.
EDU Academy and its counterparts from The Chelsea Foundation's education department will work together to bring STEAM education concepts to children in London this April. The visit will host teachers from the 49ers EDU as they travel to Stamford Bridge to develop and execute a free two-day program on April 25 and 26 aimed at inspiring children aged 10-11 to explore concepts of STEAM as they relate to the game of football.
During the activation, more than 100 children will learn about the evolution of football equipment and the similarities to the equipment used in "American" football as well as the physics involved in sport and a general introduction to the NFL and the American game.
"The Chelsea Foundation's commitment to science, technology, engineering and math has grown rapidly over the last couple of years, following the successful delivery of our Digital Camps and Digital Blue program at Stamford Bridge," said Matt Mead, Chelsea Foundation's head of education. "We are excited and proud to be collaborating with the San Francisco 49ers Foundation and EDU Academy, to benefit West London students, via an innovative and pioneering program, that brings together two global leading STEAM advocates through sport and education."
"With the successful launch, growth, and future outlook of 49ers EDU, we're honored to expand our education platform abroad in partnership with Chelsea FC Foundation to bring concepts of STEAM and American football to London children," said Jesse Lovejoy, 49ers EDU director and EDU Academy managing partner. "To join forces with an accomplished sports organization that values educational advancement as much as the 49ers do, it is not only a great partnership for EDU Academy but the beginning of a longstanding cross-continental relationship to grow education opportunities for youth in sport."
Shortly after the work in London, the 49ers and Blues plan to bring similar STEAM-focused programming to the Bay Area as part of their partnership. The goal in so doing is to extend the impact of the partnership and bring additional learning opportunities to the students, teachers and administrators in the regions in which both clubs play.
