- Social Innovation Fellowship
Award Year
NBA Math Hoops is a fast-paced, competitive board game where students learn and apply fundamental math skills using specially designed NBA and WNBA player cards. With NBA Math Hoops students compete in timed, simulated basketball games in which the goal is to score points based on the successful completion of level specific math computations. NBA Math Hoops provides tangible direct results. In the pilot run of 7 schools there were remarkable improvements in students’ actual math skills as well as their attitudes towards math, which they will take with them throughout their entire life.
Personal Statement
I have volunteered extensively in the fields of education and sports, and have worked with children for years. My step mother is an elementary school teacher and starting in the 7th grade I began assisting her in the organization of her classroom and implementation of lesson plans. I was a counselor for the After School Athletic Program at her school and a tutor in the Homework Center. I continued my volunteer work with children and sports throughout high school; both mentoring younger hockey teams and volunteering as a coach of Special Needs Hockey at my local rink in which I encouraged and taught hockey fundamentals to children with autism. I received “Mentor of the Year” for two consecutive years and the “Toughest Wolf” award for my community involvement. During my 11th and 12th grade years I was a one-on-one tutor in the subject of math for 9th and 10th graders. When the opportunity to work with NBA Math Hoops was offered to me I was incredibly excited and began working closely with the CEO almost immediately. I plan to work towards seeing the dream of NBA Math Hoops being in schools nationwide come to fruition.