The Scunthorpe United Football Club has started a program called Study United. Study United is an educational program for local kids that uses soccer as the primary learning tool. So how does soccer work as a learning tool? Well, for starters, the program is carried out at The Iron�s local stadium, called Glanford Park. The program�s educational facilities are first rate.
Mr. Steven Wharton and Ms. Jane Laws
The Club owner and President, Mr. Steven Wharton, is very proud of the program. He shared in start-up funding of the program with the North Lincolnshire Council. He introduced us to the Centre Manager for Study United, Ms. Jane Laws who gave us a tour of the program offices and facilities. You can learn more about Ms. Laws and her staff at this link: Study United staff profiles.
Here’s a look at their facilities:
There are many computer terminals, which include web cams, DVD writers, and mucho software. There are also Power Point facilities, a Smart Board, and video making equipment. The program caters to kids who need something extra just to stay in school, as well as to kids that we would label as �talented & gifted� in this country.
The students in the program can study mathematics by studying the dimensions of the field; the flight of the ball; and the economics of a typical game day. They might study social studies by looking at the customer base of the soccer team; maps of where the players are from; and current events in the world of soccer. They can study language arts by examining the match day program; news content of local sports sections of the newspaper; and by authoring stories about the team. The soccer subject matter keeps students interested in education that might otherwise drop school all together. And sometimes players from the team drop by to urge the kids on in the program. They are encouraged to do that by the team’s manager.
Ms. Laws and our host from Northlincsnet, Mr. Fraser Henderson, struck up a conversation during the tour about ways in which they might collaborate to add value to the Study United program. In addition to their expertise in all matters technology, Northlincsnet has also developed an online e-democracy game that is targeted at getting children interested in democracy and government. It is the type of thing that would be perfect for the Study United program.
Until today, Fraser had never met Ms. Laws. Football and blogging brought them together in an odd twist of fate. Odd indeed, but fortunate for all.
