The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm teamed up to host the first ‘Secrets of Science’ event, a special series of STEM events for local students, ages six through 12.
Held at the Good Neighbor Club at Welcome All Park in South Fulton on Feb. 19, youth were joined by Hawks players Mouhamed Gueye and Keaton Wallace, along with the team’s mascot, Harry the Hawk, as they learned about science, technology, engineering and math through a variety of activities.
There are three more events currently scheduled to take place as part of this series, with dates set for Feb. 27, March 11 and April 4, with additional Hawks players expected to make appearances at each date.
As part of the event, students participated in a special photo opportunity with Hawks players, Mouhamed Gueye and Keaton Wallace, and were provided food and giveaway items that included STEM-related gifts, a team-branded shirt, a Harry the Hawk Science Super Sticker, and a special slime container with a personalized label.
“Science, technology, engineering and math are integral components to the business of basketball on and off the court. We’re excited to launch this series in partnership with State Farm to educate youth throughout the city of Atlanta and enhance their foundational knowledge of STEM as a building block for future success,” said Hawks’ Vice President of Community Impact and Basketball Programs, Jon Babul. “We are committed to providing impactful opportunities for Good Neighbor Club students to learn, grow and develop life and career skills in a fun environment with the support of the Hawks and State Farm business leaders and family of community volunteers.”
Throughout the afternoon, students participated in chemistry-based activities such as making slime and exploring the different stages of the water cycle using familiar items that help foster learning creativity and fine-tune their motor skills in a fun, educational way. STEM is an educational program developed to prepare students for careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“STEM education ignites curiosity, fosters innovation, and equips children with the critical thinking skills they need to navigate and shape the future,” said State Farm Senior Vice President of the Southeastern Market Area Allyson Watts. “State Farm and the Atlanta Hawks teaming up to immerse young minds in STEM will empower the next generation to become the trailblazers of tomorrow.”
After being divided into two groups, the students were led by Children’s Museum of Atlanta, a non-profit educational organization where children experience the possibility of play through innovative programs. At the slime station, students learned about how matter changes by creating slime using ingredients including glue, borax, food coloring and water.
Then, students participated in the cloud station where they learned about the stages of the water cycle and explored the make-up of clouds using food coloring, water, cotton balls, plastic cups and paper towels.
“At Children’s Museum of Atlanta, we believe that hands-on, play-based learning is key to igniting curiosity and fostering a lifelong love of discovery,” said Edwin Link, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. “Partnering with the Hawks and State Farm for this educational series allows us to bring engaging STEM experiences directly to students, helping them see the magic of science in action. By making learning fun and interactive, we are not only expanding their knowledge but also inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.”
Since the launch of the partnership in 2015, the Hawks and State Farm have teamed up to host several STEM-related events to better serve the Metro Atlanta community. Most recently, the two organizations teamed up to host Live & Loud at William Walker where students learned about music production and live animals.
They have also hosted Growing Places at N.H. Scott, where students learned to plant and harvest in the garden as well as make healthy farm to table snacks. In addition, the Hawks and State Farm host the annual Million Meal Pack, the team’s largest service initiative, in which they pack more than one million meals for the Atlanta community.
Together, the Hawks and State Farm have opened 11 Good Neighbor Clubs around the greater Atlanta area, which have helped host other events focused on educational learning for hundreds of students.