D-backs To Welcome 14,000 Students And Their Families This Friday For Science Of Baseball And STEM Showcase, Presented By Chase & Insight

The Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) will welcome 14,000 Arizona students and their families this Friday, Sept. 26 for the game against the St. Louis Cardinals as part of the D-backs Science of Baseball and STEM Showcase, presented by Chase and Insight. The entire upper level at Chase Field will be filled with Arizona youth who are learning more about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math through a unique program that will be highlighted throughout the ballpark.

More than 63 schools have taken part in the program with 3,000 students and teachers participating in a pregame STEM parade on the field. Each of the pregame parade participants will receive a free D-backs Science of Baseball t-shirt, compliments of Chase. Before the game, Chase volunteers will be on site to hand out t-shirts while Chase and the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation will present 10 STEM clubs and teachers with a $2,500 grant to support their projects, totaling $25,000. The list of recipients can be found below.

Throughout the ballpark this Friday, fans will be able to visit interactive exhibits and meet with experts in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Several of the exhibits will be operated by STEM club students, teachers and families who will receive 2,000 complimentary tickets from Chase. Volunteers from Chase and Insight will be distributing STEM Showcase maps at the gates and a robot created by students will be used for the Pepsi T-shirt Toss.

"The future of Arizona depends on our youth and the Science of Baseball program and the STEM showcase has really tapped into an area that will have a major impact for generations to come," said D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall. "We are thrilled to work with our corporate partners Chase and Insight on such a meaningful program for Arizona families."

Students at the game will receive a workbook that allows them to learn STEM concepts in a fun and engaging way, including the science behind scoring, baseball statistics, geometry of the field, trajectory of a ball flight, engineering of the Chase Field retractable roof and the time it takes to cool the ballpark to its game time temperature of 78 degrees.

"STEM education is a powerful tool that is necessary to prepare young minds for the future," said Chase Middle Market Manager Curtis Reed. "We are proud to partner with the D-backs and Insight to help our youth show up to the workforce ready to succeed in the competitive jobs that will strengthen our economy."

"Insight is very proud to team up with the Arizona Diamondbacks and sponsor the STEM program," said Ken Lamneck, president and CEO of Insight Enterprises. "One of the core values of Insight is supporting the communities we live in. Through this program, we are able to connect with students and teachers on the latest technology trends and the importance of getting engaged with technology."

Launched in 2013, the objective of the program is to promote STEM through classroom theory and practical applications of the sport of baseball. A university research-based curriculum was created that includes fifteen lesson plans that get kids engaged through interactive principles of the game of baseball. Taught by Science of Baseball Founder, University of Arizona Professor Ricardo Valerdi and engineering students, the curriculum will include classroom activities (demonstrations, films and clinics), athletic activities (drills, scrimmages and coaching) and take-home activities at the appropriate level for the targeted age groups.

This season, the D-backs Science of Baseball team has hosted two STEM camps for teachers and one for students, with another one to be held on Nov. 8. For more information, visit dbacks.com/scienceofbaseball

Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and Chase STEM Grant Recipients

Name of School                                  Town                           Program/Project

Rancho Santa Fe Elementary                  Avondale                      Exer-Gaming

Pima Elementary                                   Scottsdale                      Motor Sensory Lab

Millennium High School                                    Goodyear                     Observing Transformations Using Technology

Faras Elementary School                                    Pirtleville (Douglas)        STEM Exploration Station

Mountain Ridge High School                 Glendale                       AP Chemistry Revisions

Ward Traditional Academy                     Tempe                          STEM Initiative

Skyline High School                               Mesa                            Hydroponics for a Growing Population

Granada Primary School                                    Phoenix                                    IVY League Innovators            

San Tan Elementary                               Chandler                       Lego Robotics Acceleration and Challenge Period

Carl Hayden High School                       Phoenix                                    Falcon Robotics