WVPEC, WVU partner with Pittsburgh Penguins to take hockey-themed STEM lessons into classrooms

Elementary school students in West Virginia and Pennsylvania will soon explore science through the lens of hockey thanks to a new partnership involving the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative and the STEAM Technical Assistance Center, housed in the West Virginia University Office of the Provost, and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation.

The initiative - the Pittsburgh Penguins Science Champions - has brought together a diverse group of over 200 educators to co-create, test and refine lessons that use hockey as a fun and familiar entry point to make learning both meaningful and engaging for students in grades two and three.

Programming is scheduled to launch this fall with a focus on under-resourced schools in Appalachia, where STEM instruction can often be limited.

"Science Champions is a program that brings hockey-themed lessons, hands-on classroom kits and meaningful teacher support into schools - expanding access to high-quality science learning opportunities for students across West Virginia," said Yvonne Maher, executive director of the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation.

"Our hope is to strengthen elementary science education, support educators and help prepare the next generation of innovators and hockey fans."

Classroom kits include lesson plans, hands-on materials and support tools that align with West Virginia's College and Career Readiness Standards and Pennsylvania's STEELS standards.

The WVPEC and STEAM TAC helped identify teachers in Barbour, Monongalia and Ohio counties to pilot the program in West Virginia.

"We are thrilled to bring this opportunity to classrooms in the Mountain State," said Canyon Lohnas, program manager for the WVPEC and liaison for the initiative.

"Through the STEAM TAC, the WVPEC knows the power of immersive, hands-on learning experiences, but most of our programming is focused on the middle and high school levels. The Science Champions program complements this effort by offering high-quality, hockey-inspired science explorations to young learners in elementary school."

Ashley Sayre, a second grade teacher at Eastwood Elementary School in Morgantown, was among those selected by the WVPEC and STEAM TAC to pilot the new program.

"Science is a subject I am very passionate about and I was thrilled when our classroom was selected to pilot the program," she said. "Lessons like these can engage students who may not naturally gravitate toward core subjects, while showing them that science is relevant, exciting and all around them."

Sayre's class participated in the "Helmet Heroes" lesson, where students learned about the history and importance of helmets before applying that knowledge to design and build a prototype helmet capable of protecting an egg. The lesson encouraged teamwork, collaboration and critical thinking as students prepared their eggs to sustain impact without cracking.

Sayre said what stood out the most during the lesson was the impact of the hockey connection.

"I had several students this year who play hockey, and living so close to Pittsburgh, I knew many were already Penguins fans. The hockey theme immediately captured their attention and created a stronger sense of purpose. They were excited to learn about the evolution of hockey helmets and understood why engineers continue to develop safer equipment. The real-world connection made the learning more meaningful, engaging and memorable."

Calling the program "incredibly valuable," Sayre underscored the benefit of bringing academic standards to life in a fresh and meaningful way through authentic, real-world applications of STEM concepts.

"Experiences like these help students build enthusiasm for STEM while developing skills that will benefit them far beyond the classroom."

Feedback from other West Virginia teachers piloting the lessons echoed Sayre's sentiment, highlighting the strong alignment to West Virginia standards, high-quality lesson materials and increased student engagement.

Lohnas said the feedback will be used to further refine and improve the activities.

The initiative is backed by nearly $100,000 in private investment from the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, PNC Charitable Trust and Alcoa Foundation. The program was designed by teachers for teachers and was facilitated by the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh.

-WVU-

kc/6/16/26

MEDIA CONTACT: Kristen Cosner
Director of Communications, Academic Support and Services
WVU Office of the Provost
[email protected]

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