North Melbourne FC launch new STEM program - GOAL!
North Melbourne Football Club’s award winning not-for-profit, the Huddle has launched its online program of teaching resources, GOAL! The Tasmanian-based program is designed by teachers for teachers using an innovative and engaging approach.
Utilising the real-world career stories of sporting industry professionals, the program will assist teachers in encouraging students to engage in the core subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
The first unit features sports industry professionals from the North Melbourne Football Club and has a strong emphasis on promoting participation and leadership—both on and off the field.
North Melbourne star and Tasmanian-born Ben Brown said the program was set to shape the futures of Tasmanian youth.
“I wish I’d had the opportunity to experience this program as a student – the opportunity to hear from sports industry professionals about the relevance of these subjects to their daily career really closes the loop on why school and education are important,” Brown said.
“I’m a really proud Tasmanian and can happily say that my education has been a vital component in my career to date – there’s always more to learn though – it’s always important to have career and life goals.”
Over the next three years the program will be rolled out across 100 primary and secondary schools across Tasmania, in partnership with the Beacon Foundation, Spirit of Tasmania and the City of Hobart.
GOAL! teaching resources will be available via the Beacon Foundation’s cutting-edge on-line eBeacon technology.
“We have been really impressed by The Huddle and North Melbourne Football Club’s passion and commitment for education outcomes and inspiring young people throughout Tasmania to reach their full potential,” said Beacon Foundation CEO Scott Harris.
Spirit of Tasmania CEO Bernard Dwyer said it is an exciting initiative to be involved in.
“Spirit of Tasmania is very pleased to be partnering with the club to help foster the development of community initiatives across Tasmania,” Dwyer said.
The Huddle, received a major (three year) grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund (TCF) to work in partnership with the Beacon Foundation to develop and deliver GOAL!. The independent community funding body (TCF) was established following the sale of the Trust Bank in 1999 to give back to the community proceeds from the sale of a community asset. Since that time the TCF has allocated approximately $58.6 million to approximately 1700 state wide projects.
“The Tasmanian Community Fund board was impressed with the educational outcomes The Huddle is seeking to achieve by partnering with Tasmanian community-based organisations and schools,” Tasmanian Community Fund Chair Sally Darke said.
“The fund is particularly pleased The Huddle is bringing together participants and professionals from other sporting codes to collaborate on the program.”
The Bayview Secondary College teachers, led by Adrian Eberle and Tullia Chung-Tilley, embraced this when designing the first unit of inquiry for Year Ten, and will subsequently be the first school to use GOAL!.
All GOAL! Teaching resources are aligned to the Australian Curriculum and The Department of Education Tasmania’s My Education career education framework.
To express interest in the program visit their website.