Education

20Education

We provide opportunities for all children to have access to premier learning tools and initiatives to ensure excellence in education.

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THE SCIENCE OF THE SPORT

SCIENCE OF HOCKEY

In partnership with PPG and Carnegie Science Center’s Science on the Road program, the Penguins Foundation developed a unique program designed to excite students about STEM programming using hockey as the key subject. Geared toward students in grades K–8, Science of Hockey invites students to help take a ragtag team of hockey players all the way to the Stanley Cup by learning about reaction time, cryogenic chemistry, forces of motion and more through dynamic science and math demonstrations. Highlights of Science of Hockey include: immersing a 3D-printed scale model of the Stanley Cup in liquid nitrogen and an explanation of thermochromic paint that is used on hockey pucks to indicate to NHL referees when it is time for a fresh puck in the game. Developed as both a virtual program, or a traveling assembly that can visit schools or libraries, Science of Hockey is led by a Science on the Road educator, with assistance from pre-recorded videos of Iceburgh.

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At PPG, we know that science is all around us – from the paint that protects a hockey goal post, to the coating that indicates when a puck is game-ready – it is a powerful component in the game of hockey and beyond. This dynamic and engaging program will allow us to further educate the next generation of inventors, and showcase real-life examples of advanced coatings applications and the chemistry behind them.”

Malesia Dunn Executive Director PPG Foundation & Global Social Responsibility

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Science of Hockey is packed with engaging lessons and demonstrations that draw real-world connections to the scientific concepts students are learning in schools. Our collaboration with PPG and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation has resulted in a fantastic assembly show that is guaranteed to get students excited about science.”

Jason Brown Henry Buhl, Jr., Director Carnegie Science Center

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HOCKEY THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

FUTURE GOALS HOCKEY SCHOLAR

A league-wide initiative co-sponsored by the NHL and NHLPA, the Future Goals Hockey Scholar program helps students learn science, technology, engineering and math concepts that are present in hockey by using simulations on iPads and computers. Since 2014, Future Goals has yielded over 244,650 hours of STEM learning opportunities for students in our region.

MOST VALUABLE TEACHER

Anthony Burns, a local teacher at North Hills Middle School, was selected out of 20 educators as the NHL and NHLPA’s Most Valuable Teacher for the month of January. Teachers were selected monthly for their use of the NHL and NHLPA-sponsored Future Goals program, which teaches students key STEM skills. Penguins player Brian Dumoulin informed Anthony that he was the selected January MVT. In addition, SAP granted Anthony $10,000 to help fund new technological devices for North Hills School District.

STEAM LENDING LIBRARY

With the assist of a $442,000 PAsmart Grant by Governor Tom Wolf, the Penguins Foundation expanded the STEAM Lending Library initiative to 22 counties across Western Pennsylvania to provide students with access to technological education to engage even more students with science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. This program has impacted over 400,000 students in grades K-12, which has allowed the Penguins Foundation to strengthen its educational pillar.

RETHINK THE RINK

For the 4th season, the Penguins, Covestro and Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Engineering united to Rethink the Rink – a unique effort to make the game of hockey safer at all levels. This season, Rethink the Rink challenged CMU students to develop potential materials and technology solutions to better hockey helmets through a Make-A-Thon held in May.

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To date, Future Goals Hockey Scholar has reached over 98,000 students in Western Pennsylvania!

The collaboration with Covestro and Carnegie Mellon is an exciting attempt to use advances in material science to improve the safety of the players. Combined with insight from the Penguins and the NHL, Rethink the Rink is an exceptional way to explore making an inherently physical sport safer. This is a meaningful research project that could help make a long-term impact on the game.”

David Morehouse President & CEO Pittsburgh Penguins

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CLASSROOM ALL-STARS

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Penguins organization supported the following annual scholarship awards during 2020.21:

• Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation Scholarship: $3,000 (Year 1); $2,000 (Year 2)

Awarded to high school seniors from Pittsburgh Public Schools and select schools within Allegheny County based on their academic achievement, community service and participation in school activities.

Recipients: 10 Students

• Bob Johnson Memorial Scholarship: $5,000

Awarded to one Western Pennsylvania high school senior for academic excellence, community service and for providing leadership and sportsmanship as a member of their high school’s hockey team.

Recipient: Katherine Wilbert, Peters Township HS, University of Mass. Boston

• Penguins Alumni Association Scholarship: $2,000

Awarded to one Western Pennsylvania high school senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, good citizenship, school and community involvement and has shown an intense love for the game of hockey.

Recipient: Jacob Kruszewski, Cathedral Preparatory School, Gannon University

Recipients of the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation Scholarship included:

• Aaron Zachary Berger, Pittsburgh Taylor Allderdice High School, Harvard University

• Tyler Bindas, Woodland Hills High School, University of Pittsburgh

• Ashley Davis, West Mifflin Area High School, University of Pittsburgh

• Bradley Dietz, Northgate High School, California University of Pennsylvania

• Amira Jackson, Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12, Muhlenberg College

• Abigail Klemm, Brentwood Borough High School, Penn State Behrend

• Marina McCutcheon, Springdale High School, Slippery Rock University

• Cecil Price III, Barack Obama Academy of International Students, Morehouse College

• Hayley Tate, Steel Valley Senior High School, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

• Madison Travaglino, Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12, Penn State University

Thank you UPMC for supporting our scholarships!

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CLASSROOM ALL-STARS

PENGUINS MVP

The Penguins Most Valuable Principal (MVP) program emphasized the value of education by honoring 16 principals from Allegheny County. In partnership with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and The Grable Foundation, this program aims to highlight the important work done over the past year by principals who demonstrated innovative learning approaches with a passion for their school, students and career.

Congratulations to the following Penguins MVPs:

• Principal Adam Zunic, Gill Hall Elementary

• Principal Justin Liberatore, McClellan Elementary

• Principal Kristina Bilderback, Highcliff Elementary

• Principal Dave Thomas, Fred L. Aiken Elementary

• Principal Erin Crimone, NA Cyber Academy

• Principal Kristin Brown, Penn Hills Elementary

• Principal Kenneth Klase, St. Louise de Marillac

• Principal Kevin Walsh, Barrett Elementary

• Principal Debra Paurizio, Clairton Elementary

• Principal Patti Camper, Arsenal 6-8

• Principal Sean Gildea, Logal Elementary

• Principal Heather Johnston, Sto-Rox Upper Elementary

• Principal Jason Ramsey, Foster Elementary

• Principal Patricia Fusco, Harrison Education Center

• Principal Molly O’Malley-Argueta, Allegheny Traditional Academy K-5

• Principal Phillip Woods, Woodland Hills High School

PENSPALS

PensPals, a series of educational booklets and worksheets, was launched by the Penguins Foundation in partnership with PPG during the summer of 2020. PensPals aims to provide learning support to children with limited technological resources by sharing science, math and arts activities that can be done at home. Approximately 3,000 hard copies of the booklets were distributed at various community events with digital versions of the worksheets also available online – ultimately striving to make learning accessible (& fun!), while sparking an interest in hockey.

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