Learn Fresh is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to providing innovative STEM learning experiences that empower educators and inspire students. By bringing students’ genuine interests into the classroom, Learn Fresh programs foster a lifelong enthusiasm for learning. Nick is the CEO and Co-Founder of the organization and Calvin serves as the Chief Academic Officer. Throughout the episode, Nick and Calvin discuss Learn Fresh and the organization’s founding program, NBA Math Hoops.
In our season finale, Nick and Calvin are joined by Rico Francis, the first Social Impact Director at the Pacers Foundation, the public charity founded by Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Rico shares his journey from attending after-school programs to leading them in college, ultimately shaping his career in youth services. The conversation dives deep into the realities of nonprofit work, strategies for creating sustainable programs, and the critical importance of mental health in supporting youth. Don't miss this powerful exploration of impact and resilience! Check out their work at: https://pacersfoundation.org/
Nick and Calvin talk with Ebony Grace, CEO of New Jersey's Afterschool & Out-of-School Time Professional Network, to explore the significance of non-traditional educational spaces. Ebony shares the innovative tools her organization employs to uplift students and service providers alike, showcasing the power of building strong networks from the ground up. Through personal anecdotes, they discuss how their backgrounds led to their current roles in supporting students towards brighter futures. Learn more about their work at: https://www.njsacc.org
Join us for a special feature of the Mizzen Meets webinar hosted by Carlos Santini, CEO of Mizzen, a nonprofit providing free resources to educators across the country, featuring our host Nick Monzi. The two reflect on their professional journeys since first connecting in 2015, sharing insights on creating impactful learning experiences and the critical importance of STEM equity in education. As Carlos says, “Attention + Intention = Retention,” their discussion delves into strategies to engage and inspire both educators and students to create successful programs. https://www.mizzen.org
In this episode, Nick and Calvin welcome Henry Donahue, Executive Director of Save The Music, a nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable music education across the U.S. through access to instruments and programs. Henry opens up about the life-changing power of music in the classroom and its role in shaping his own career. Together, they discuss how music empowers youth, fosters creativity, and strengthens communities, as well as the innovative J Dilla Music Tech Grant that bridges technology and art. Tune in to explore how music is a vital tool for self-expression and empowerment! https://www.savethemusic.org
In this season premiere, Nick and Calvin talk with former NBA TV personality and podcaster, Leigh Ellis. He takes us through the moment he turned his career around, leaving the booth in search of pick-up games around the world and the stories in between – like the infamous shoot-out with Steph Curry. Tune in as they discuss career exploration, the life lessons travel teaches you, and the beauty of cross-cultural exchange from playing 3x3 pick-up basketball. To learn more about Leigh's work, visit: https://basketballpassport.net/
Fresh Perspectives
In this week’s episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with Mariana Rivera, an educator from San Francisco, California. Mariana is a longtime NBA Math Hoops program educator at Bay Area Community Resources, and in 2017, her students Angela and Patricia Rodas attended and won the inaugural NBA Math Hoops National Championship. Throughout the conversation, the group recaps the memorable 2017 season and the experience of the first National Championship event.
Join Nick and Calvin in this week's episode as they sit down with Kayla Alexander, professional basketball player, author, and Learn Fresh board member. Kayla shares her passion for education and her inspiring journey as a division 1 athlete, and also speaks about her children's book, The Magic of Basketball. Tune in to gain insights into Kayla's multifaceted career and her dedication to achieving equity in education.
In this week’s episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with a group from Clevyr, an application and development firm from Oklahoma City, OK. Clevyr is the developer of the NBA Math Hoops apps and the NBA Math Hoops digital game, and we have worked closely with them to build out Learn Fresh digital tools for students and educators. Nick and Calvin are joined by Kelli Matthews, Strategic Account Manager, Tim Giddens, Senior Software Developer, and Nick Duttwyler, Senior Software Developer. All three have worked extensively on Learn Fresh projects in the past. The group explores how each got into game development and design, key features of the NBA Math Hoops App, the game development process, and visions for STEM education and pipeline development.
In this week’s episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with Jesse Smith Thomas, Partnership Marketing Manager at the Los Angeles Rams and formerly at the New Orleans Pelicans and New Orleans Saints. Jess shares her transition from a career in STEM to a career in professional sports in her late 20s, and how her STEM education benefited her in this career shift. The three discuss the role of partnership marketing within professional sports teams and how cross industry partnerships have the ability to make a meaningful difference in communities.
Meet Learn Fresh’s Chief Program Officer, Colleen Serafini! In this episode, Colleen sits down with Nick and Calvin to share discuss her career in education, her journey to joining Learn Fresh, and reflections on Learn Fresh's work and mission. Colleen was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended University of California Berkeley. Her first position after graduation was with AmeriCorps VISTA at a middle school in Berkeley, CA supporting youth as an Academic Coordinator. This began her career working with low-income communities in Bay Area schools, where she focused on guiding the implementation of STEM curricula. Colleen joined the Learn Fresh team from Bay Area Community Resources, a longtime Learn Fresh implementation partner in the region. As Chief Program Officer at Learn Fresh, she remains dedicated to providing all students a fun, engaging way to learn.
In Episode 16, Nick and Calvin chop it up with Eric Woodyard, an award-winning journalist and author from Flint, Michigan. Eric is currently the NFL Nation reporter for the Detroit Lions at ESPN, where he also covers basketball and boxing. Eric has appeared on ESPN’s “The Jump,” “E:60”, and “Outside the Lines”, and was awarded first place for Best Sports Story and Best Sports Feature categories in 2012 and 2015 by the Michigan Associated Press. Throughout the conversation, Eric shares stories from early in his career covering the NBA, and talks about his path into journalism, the importance of mentorship in education, and his Flint roots.
In Episode 15, Nick and Calvin welcome Gemma Lenowitz, Program Officer, and Uchenna Ezibe, Program Analyst with Overdeck Family Foundation’s Inspired Minds portfolio. The Inspired Minds portfolio supports direct impact and ecosystem organizations that expand access to high-quality out-of-school STEM learning experiences that deepen family engagement, build STEM mindsets, and inspire students with joyful and rigorous learning. Learn Fresh has been a grantee of the Inspired Minds portfolio since 2019. Gemma and Uchenna share their personal journeys to Overdeck Family Foundation and their shared passion for education. The conversation explores the landscape of STEM education in the afterschool space and the critical importance of funding exceptional learning opportunities for students.
Calvin speaks with his former student and NBA Math Hoops alumnus, Daivion Smith. Daivion shares his experience participating in the first NBA Math Hoops National Championship, and how his journey through the program helped shape the student and person he is today. Daivion’s experience in the first annual NBA Math Hoops National Championship was featured in ‘An NBA Math Hoops Story’, a mini-doc available to view on the Learn Fresh Youtube Channel.
In this episode, Calvin shares his journey as an educator, from a young man with aspirations for the NBA to the ‘Game Changer of Education’. Calvin and Nick discuss the importance of identity representation in education, and how Calvin leveraged culture and fashion to position himself as a positive role model for his students. The discussion then turns to a critical look at the education system: how educators' enthusiasm and creativity are often stifled to the detriment of students, and the importance of real world lessons in the classroom. Calvin shares why he chose to leave the classroom to join the Learn Fresh team, and examines why so many educators are now choosing to pursue alternative careers in education.
In this episode, Calvin and Nick are joined by David Gould, Chief Diversity and Impact Officer at Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, the ownership group of the Philadelphia 76ers. Throughout the conversation, recorded in January of 2021, the group explores how the Sixers and HBSE think about engaging the community, and the specific programs that they’re using to achieve impact. David shares his background growing up in a poor part of Philadelphia, having the opportunity to attend an elite private school, and the impact of his schooling on his academic and career trajectory. The conversation touches on themes including racial and educational equity, code switching as a cultural and professional tool, supporting Black-owned businesses in the community, and the importance of research funding.
In this episode, Calvin and Nick are joined by Delphi Cleaveland, Special Assistant in the Office of Global Women's Issues at U.S. Department of State, for a conversation about gender equity within American education. Throughout the conversation, recorded in December of 2020, the group explores the international and domestic context for gender equity within K-12 education, including issues like gendering of academic topics and activities, representation in school systems and STEM fields, and gender-related education challenges during the pandemic. Please note that all statements made in this episode were given in a personal capacity and do not reflect the views of the United States Government.
In the final episode of the series, we hear from Learn Fresh Fellow Melanie Young. Melanie is the founder of Infinite Mind Tutors, a Black-owned tutoring agency with the mission to use the collective power of Black minds to transform America's educational landscape. Melanie's passion is to make high-quality education accessible to all children. Before launching Infinite Mind Tutors, Melanie was a teacher and tutor working in Philadelphia's public schools for over nine years. In this episode, Melanie shares her personal journey to becoming an educator and the powerful influence her parents had over her passion for education.
In Part III of this series, we hear from Learn Fresh Fellow Dr. Francene Garrett. Francene is an Instruction and Personalized Learning Lead in the metropolitan area of Atlanta, where she prides herself on being a change agent in the field of education through the use of practical, relevant, and engaging professional development, consulting, and coaching. In this episode, Francene shares her journey as an educator and the impact her own teachers had on her life.
In Part II of this series, we'll hear from Learn Fresh Fellow, Chris Robinson. Chris is a special education teacher and Athletic Director at his neighborhood middle school, McAuliffe International School in Denver, Colorado. Growing up, his family put a high standard on education, but it’s something that he took for granted until he transferred to a private school in 8th grade. Immediately, he understood that education was not the same for everyone, and as one of the only Black students at his new school, the inequity felt personal. From then on, becoming a teacher was always in the back of his mind. In this episode, Chris discusses his journey as an educator and the importance of creating relevant curriculum for students.
Meet the inaugural class of Learn Fresh Fellows! Launched in Fall 2020, the Learn Fresh Fellowship for Culturally Inclusive Education invites educators and curriculum writers of color to create and broadly share standards-aligned curricula that authentically represent the cultural, ethnic, and racial identities of their communities. In this episode, we meet Ashley Barnett, an elementary educator working in a private school in Baltimore. Ashley graduated from St. John’s University with a master’s degree in childhood education, and has been teaching for over 10 years in Washington D.C., New York City, and Baltimore. Throughout this episode, Ashley shares her journey to the Fellowship and her vision for change in the classroom.
Calvin and Nick share reflections on the role and importance of education in the racial justice movement in a two-part episode recorded in December 2020. Throughout the conversation, they talk about how they've seen these themes play out in their own lives, in the classroom, and through our work with Learn Fresh. In Part 1, Calvin and Nick explore how the American education system approaches Black history and U.S. history more generally, and how teaching, technology, and pedagogy can contribute to combating racism and building racial equity.
Calvin and Nick share reflections on the role and importance of education in the racial justice movement in a two-part episode recorded in December 2020. Throughout the conversation, they talk about how they've seen these themes play out in their own lives, in the classroom, and through our work with Learn Fresh. In Part 2, the pair talk about representation in the classroom, culture, and curricula, and what it means for building racial acceptance and the pursuit of social justice.
Continuing themes from last week around sport and community, this week’s episode explores the case study of The Huddle, an organization leveraging the power of sport to create positive outcomes for youth in Australia. Nick and Calvin are joined by Emma Kearney, captain and star player of the North Melbourne Football Club and Head of Education and Careers at The Huddle. Cam McLeod serves as CEO of The Huddle and also joins the conversation to discuss his vision for the organization’s scale. The group discusses The Huddle’s True North program, which is building a new model for professional sports organizations and community engagement across Australia.
Can professional sports inspire student learning and social impact? How can sports organizations leverage data to evaluate community outcomes? Do professional athletes and leagues have a responsibility to the community? In today’s episode, Nick and Calvin welcome Sacramento Kings star Harrison Barnes, a leading activist in the NBA community, and Kirk Walters, Director of Math Research at WestEd. The group discusses the links between sports and education, and explores the powerful platform athletes have to drive change and progress in their communities.
K-12 education and the importance of schools have been at the forefront of the national discourse since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, Nick and Calvin are joined by three educators from across the United States to discuss their experience teaching through this unprecedented time. Their discussion highlights the challenges of remote learning, the importance of adaptability, and the resilience of students. Thank you to our guests: Denzel Smith from Camden, NJ; Sean Patterson from Milwaukee, WI; and Robyn Seelye from Lansing, MI!
Learn Fresh is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to providing innovative STEM learning experiences that empower educators and inspire students. By bringing students’ genuine interests into the classroom, Learn Fresh programs foster a lifelong enthusiasm for learning. Nick is the CEO and Co-Founder of the organization and Calvin serves as the Chief Academic Officer. Throughout the episode, Nick and Calvin discuss Learn Fresh and the organization’s founding program, NBA Math Hoops.
In our season finale, Nick and Calvin are joined by Rico Francis, the first Social Impact Director at the Pacers Foundation, the public charity founded by Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Rico shares his journey from attending after-school programs to leading them in college, ultimately shaping his career in youth services. The conversation dives deep into the realities of nonprofit work, strategies for creating sustainable programs, and the critical importance of mental health in supporting youth. Don't miss this powerful exploration of impact and resilience! Check out their work at: https://pacersfoundation.org/
Nick and Calvin talk with Ebony Grace, CEO of New Jersey's Afterschool & Out-of-School Time Professional Network, to explore the significance of non-traditional educational spaces. Ebony shares the innovative tools her organization employs to uplift students and service providers alike, showcasing the power of building strong networks from the ground up. Through personal anecdotes, they discuss how their backgrounds led to their current roles in supporting students towards brighter futures. Learn more about their work at: https://www.njsacc.org
Learn Fresh is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to providing innovative STEM learning experiences that empower educators and inspire students. By bringing students’ genuine interests into the classroom, Learn Fresh programs foster a lifelong enthusiasm for learning. Nick is the CEO and Co-Founder of the organization and Calvin serves as the Chief Academic Officer. Throughout the episode, Nick and Calvin discuss Learn Fresh and the organization’s founding program, NBA Math Hoops.
In our season finale, Nick and Calvin are joined by Rico Francis, the first Social Impact Director at the Pacers Foundation, the public charity founded by Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Rico shares his journey from attending after-school programs to leading them in college, ultimately shaping his career in youth services. The conversation dives deep into the realities of nonprofit work, strategies for creating sustainable programs, and the critical importance of mental health in supporting youth. Don't miss this powerful exploration of impact and resilience! Check out their work at: https://pacersfoundation.org/
Nick and Calvin talk with Ebony Grace, CEO of New Jersey's Afterschool & Out-of-School Time Professional Network, to explore the significance of non-traditional educational spaces. Ebony shares the innovative tools her organization employs to uplift students and service providers alike, showcasing the power of building strong networks from the ground up. Through personal anecdotes, they discuss how their backgrounds led to their current roles in supporting students towards brighter futures. Learn more about their work at: https://www.njsacc.org
Join us for a special feature of the Mizzen Meets webinar hosted by Carlos Santini, CEO of Mizzen, a nonprofit providing free resources to educators across the country, featuring our host Nick Monzi. The two reflect on their professional journeys since first connecting in 2015, sharing insights on creating impactful learning experiences and the critical importance of STEM equity in education. As Carlos says, “Attention + Intention = Retention,” their discussion delves into strategies to engage and inspire both educators and students to create successful programs. https://www.mizzen.org
In this episode, Nick and Calvin welcome Henry Donahue, Executive Director of Save The Music, a nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable music education across the U.S. through access to instruments and programs. Henry opens up about the life-changing power of music in the classroom and its role in shaping his own career. Together, they discuss how music empowers youth, fosters creativity, and strengthens communities, as well as the innovative J Dilla Music Tech Grant that bridges technology and art. Tune in to explore how music is a vital tool for self-expression and empowerment! https://www.savethemusic.org
In this season premiere, Nick and Calvin talk with former NBA TV personality and podcaster, Leigh Ellis. He takes us through the moment he turned his career around, leaving the booth in search of pick-up games around the world and the stories in between – like the infamous shoot-out with Steph Curry. Tune in as they discuss career exploration, the life lessons travel teaches you, and the beauty of cross-cultural exchange from playing 3x3 pick-up basketball. To learn more about Leigh's work, visit: https://basketballpassport.net/
Fresh Perspectives
In this week’s episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with Mariana Rivera, an educator from San Francisco, California. Mariana is a longtime NBA Math Hoops program educator at Bay Area Community Resources, and in 2017, her students Angela and Patricia Rodas attended and won the inaugural NBA Math Hoops National Championship. Throughout the conversation, the group recaps the memorable 2017 season and the experience of the first National Championship event.
Join Nick and Calvin in this week's episode as they sit down with Kayla Alexander, professional basketball player, author, and Learn Fresh board member. Kayla shares her passion for education and her inspiring journey as a division 1 athlete, and also speaks about her children's book, The Magic of Basketball. Tune in to gain insights into Kayla's multifaceted career and her dedication to achieving equity in education.
In this week’s episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with a group from Clevyr, an application and development firm from Oklahoma City, OK. Clevyr is the developer of the NBA Math Hoops apps and the NBA Math Hoops digital game, and we have worked closely with them to build out Learn Fresh digital tools for students and educators. Nick and Calvin are joined by Kelli Matthews, Strategic Account Manager, Tim Giddens, Senior Software Developer, and Nick Duttwyler, Senior Software Developer. All three have worked extensively on Learn Fresh projects in the past. The group explores how each got into game development and design, key features of the NBA Math Hoops App, the game development process, and visions for STEM education and pipeline development.
In this week’s episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with Jesse Smith Thomas, Partnership Marketing Manager at the Los Angeles Rams and formerly at the New Orleans Pelicans and New Orleans Saints. Jess shares her transition from a career in STEM to a career in professional sports in her late 20s, and how her STEM education benefited her in this career shift. The three discuss the role of partnership marketing within professional sports teams and how cross industry partnerships have the ability to make a meaningful difference in communities.
Meet Learn Fresh’s Chief Program Officer, Colleen Serafini! In this episode, Colleen sits down with Nick and Calvin to share discuss her career in education, her journey to joining Learn Fresh, and reflections on Learn Fresh's work and mission. Colleen was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended University of California Berkeley. Her first position after graduation was with AmeriCorps VISTA at a middle school in Berkeley, CA supporting youth as an Academic Coordinator. This began her career working with low-income communities in Bay Area schools, where she focused on guiding the implementation of STEM curricula. Colleen joined the Learn Fresh team from Bay Area Community Resources, a longtime Learn Fresh implementation partner in the region. As Chief Program Officer at Learn Fresh, she remains dedicated to providing all students a fun, engaging way to learn.
In Episode 16, Nick and Calvin chop it up with Eric Woodyard, an award-winning journalist and author from Flint, Michigan. Eric is currently the NFL Nation reporter for the Detroit Lions at ESPN, where he also covers basketball and boxing. Eric has appeared on ESPN’s “The Jump,” “E:60”, and “Outside the Lines”, and was awarded first place for Best Sports Story and Best Sports Feature categories in 2012 and 2015 by the Michigan Associated Press. Throughout the conversation, Eric shares stories from early in his career covering the NBA, and talks about his path into journalism, the importance of mentorship in education, and his Flint roots.
In Episode 15, Nick and Calvin welcome Gemma Lenowitz, Program Officer, and Uchenna Ezibe, Program Analyst with Overdeck Family Foundation’s Inspired Minds portfolio. The Inspired Minds portfolio supports direct impact and ecosystem organizations that expand access to high-quality out-of-school STEM learning experiences that deepen family engagement, build STEM mindsets, and inspire students with joyful and rigorous learning. Learn Fresh has been a grantee of the Inspired Minds portfolio since 2019. Gemma and Uchenna share their personal journeys to Overdeck Family Foundation and their shared passion for education. The conversation explores the landscape of STEM education in the afterschool space and the critical importance of funding exceptional learning opportunities for students.
Calvin speaks with his former student and NBA Math Hoops alumnus, Daivion Smith. Daivion shares his experience participating in the first NBA Math Hoops National Championship, and how his journey through the program helped shape the student and person he is today. Daivion’s experience in the first annual NBA Math Hoops National Championship was featured in ‘An NBA Math Hoops Story’, a mini-doc available to view on the Learn Fresh Youtube Channel.
In this episode, Calvin shares his journey as an educator, from a young man with aspirations for the NBA to the ‘Game Changer of Education’. Calvin and Nick discuss the importance of identity representation in education, and how Calvin leveraged culture and fashion to position himself as a positive role model for his students. The discussion then turns to a critical look at the education system: how educators' enthusiasm and creativity are often stifled to the detriment of students, and the importance of real world lessons in the classroom. Calvin shares why he chose to leave the classroom to join the Learn Fresh team, and examines why so many educators are now choosing to pursue alternative careers in education.
In this episode, Calvin and Nick are joined by David Gould, Chief Diversity and Impact Officer at Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, the ownership group of the Philadelphia 76ers. Throughout the conversation, recorded in January of 2021, the group explores how the Sixers and HBSE think about engaging the community, and the specific programs that they’re using to achieve impact. David shares his background growing up in a poor part of Philadelphia, having the opportunity to attend an elite private school, and the impact of his schooling on his academic and career trajectory. The conversation touches on themes including racial and educational equity, code switching as a cultural and professional tool, supporting Black-owned businesses in the community, and the importance of research funding.
In this episode, Calvin and Nick are joined by Delphi Cleaveland, Special Assistant in the Office of Global Women's Issues at U.S. Department of State, for a conversation about gender equity within American education. Throughout the conversation, recorded in December of 2020, the group explores the international and domestic context for gender equity within K-12 education, including issues like gendering of academic topics and activities, representation in school systems and STEM fields, and gender-related education challenges during the pandemic. Please note that all statements made in this episode were given in a personal capacity and do not reflect the views of the United States Government.
In the final episode of the series, we hear from Learn Fresh Fellow Melanie Young. Melanie is the founder of Infinite Mind Tutors, a Black-owned tutoring agency with the mission to use the collective power of Black minds to transform America's educational landscape. Melanie's passion is to make high-quality education accessible to all children. Before launching Infinite Mind Tutors, Melanie was a teacher and tutor working in Philadelphia's public schools for over nine years. In this episode, Melanie shares her personal journey to becoming an educator and the powerful influence her parents had over her passion for education.
In Part III of this series, we hear from Learn Fresh Fellow Dr. Francene Garrett. Francene is an Instruction and Personalized Learning Lead in the metropolitan area of Atlanta, where she prides herself on being a change agent in the field of education through the use of practical, relevant, and engaging professional development, consulting, and coaching. In this episode, Francene shares her journey as an educator and the impact her own teachers had on her life.
In Part II of this series, we'll hear from Learn Fresh Fellow, Chris Robinson. Chris is a special education teacher and Athletic Director at his neighborhood middle school, McAuliffe International School in Denver, Colorado. Growing up, his family put a high standard on education, but it’s something that he took for granted until he transferred to a private school in 8th grade. Immediately, he understood that education was not the same for everyone, and as one of the only Black students at his new school, the inequity felt personal. From then on, becoming a teacher was always in the back of his mind. In this episode, Chris discusses his journey as an educator and the importance of creating relevant curriculum for students.
Meet the inaugural class of Learn Fresh Fellows! Launched in Fall 2020, the Learn Fresh Fellowship for Culturally Inclusive Education invites educators and curriculum writers of color to create and broadly share standards-aligned curricula that authentically represent the cultural, ethnic, and racial identities of their communities. In this episode, we meet Ashley Barnett, an elementary educator working in a private school in Baltimore. Ashley graduated from St. John’s University with a master’s degree in childhood education, and has been teaching for over 10 years in Washington D.C., New York City, and Baltimore. Throughout this episode, Ashley shares her journey to the Fellowship and her vision for change in the classroom.
Calvin and Nick share reflections on the role and importance of education in the racial justice movement in a two-part episode recorded in December 2020. Throughout the conversation, they talk about how they've seen these themes play out in their own lives, in the classroom, and through our work with Learn Fresh. In Part 1, Calvin and Nick explore how the American education system approaches Black history and U.S. history more generally, and how teaching, technology, and pedagogy can contribute to combating racism and building racial equity.
Calvin and Nick share reflections on the role and importance of education in the racial justice movement in a two-part episode recorded in December 2020. Throughout the conversation, they talk about how they've seen these themes play out in their own lives, in the classroom, and through our work with Learn Fresh. In Part 2, the pair talk about representation in the classroom, culture, and curricula, and what it means for building racial acceptance and the pursuit of social justice.
Continuing themes from last week around sport and community, this week’s episode explores the case study of The Huddle, an organization leveraging the power of sport to create positive outcomes for youth in Australia. Nick and Calvin are joined by Emma Kearney, captain and star player of the North Melbourne Football Club and Head of Education and Careers at The Huddle. Cam McLeod serves as CEO of The Huddle and also joins the conversation to discuss his vision for the organization’s scale. The group discusses The Huddle’s True North program, which is building a new model for professional sports organizations and community engagement across Australia.
Can professional sports inspire student learning and social impact? How can sports organizations leverage data to evaluate community outcomes? Do professional athletes and leagues have a responsibility to the community? In today’s episode, Nick and Calvin welcome Sacramento Kings star Harrison Barnes, a leading activist in the NBA community, and Kirk Walters, Director of Math Research at WestEd. The group discusses the links between sports and education, and explores the powerful platform athletes have to drive change and progress in their communities.
K-12 education and the importance of schools have been at the forefront of the national discourse since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, Nick and Calvin are joined by three educators from across the United States to discuss their experience teaching through this unprecedented time. Their discussion highlights the challenges of remote learning, the importance of adaptability, and the resilience of students. Thank you to our guests: Denzel Smith from Camden, NJ; Sean Patterson from Milwaukee, WI; and Robyn Seelye from Lansing, MI!
Learn Fresh is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to providing innovative STEM learning experiences that empower educators and inspire students. By bringing students’ genuine interests into the classroom, Learn Fresh programs foster a lifelong enthusiasm for learning. Nick is the CEO and Co-Founder of the organization and Calvin serves as the Chief Academic Officer. Throughout the episode, Nick and Calvin discuss Learn Fresh and the organization’s founding program, NBA Math Hoops.
In our season finale, Nick and Calvin are joined by Rico Francis, the first Social Impact Director at the Pacers Foundation, the public charity founded by Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Rico shares his journey from attending after-school programs to leading them in college, ultimately shaping his career in youth services. The conversation dives deep into the realities of nonprofit work, strategies for creating sustainable programs, and the critical importance of mental health in supporting youth. Don't miss this powerful exploration of impact and resilience! Check out their work at: https://pacersfoundation.org/
In our journey to revolutionize STEM education and promote sustainability, Learn Fresh has been privileged to forge impactful partnerships with organizations that share our vision for a brighter future. Among these allies stands AMETEK, Inc., a global leader in industrial technology solutions, whose support in 2023 has significantly advanced our mission and expanded our reach.
Through the Million Girls Moonshot initiative, STEM Next Opportunity Fund has provided invaluable support to Learn Fresh, propelling our mission to make STEM learning engaging and accessible, particularly within after school environments.
March 18th, 2025 – Learn Fresh and GameChanger, the #1-rated youth sports app for live streaming, scheduling, statistics, and scorekeeping, have selected 50 educational sites nationwide to receive a NBA Math Hoops Live Kit, a physical activity edition of the NBA Math Hoops program. These kits, funded by GameChanger, aim to enhance students’ math skills through interactive physical play. Educators submitted applications this past fall, which were evaluated by Learn Fresh and GameChanger staff before final selections were made.
Philadelphia, PA – March 17th, 2025 – Boeing and Learn Fresh are joining forces to expand STEM education access for students across the greater Philadelphia region through the MLB Players STEM League. This program engages students in hands-on, sports-based learning, helping them develop critical problem-solving and analytical skills.
Learn Fresh and MLB Players Trust are excited to announce the student selections for the 2025 MLB Players STEM League Global Championship. This year’s event will be held from March 21-23 in Scottsdale, AZ, in conjunction with MLB’s spring training. It will feature participants from STEM League programs across the U.S. and Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Brazil.
Learn Fresh and GameChanger, the #1 rated youth sports app for live streaming, scheduling, statistics, and scorekeeping, have announced a new partnership to bring 50 Math Hoops Live Kits, a physical activity edition of the NBA Math Hoops program, to educational sites across the U.S. this fall.
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation and Learn Fresh brought sixth and seventh graders across Queens, New York together in an immersive learning experience focused on engineering a new, greener experience for Mets fans.
Math Hoops, a curriculum based on the player draft and stats of an National Basketball Association season, helps students learn foundational math skills, while also incorporating lessons around social-emotional learning and sportsmanship.
The 2024 MLB Players STEM League Global Championship wrapped up Tuesday, July 16 after a weekend of competition, learning, and home runs in Arlington, TX.
The 2024 NBA Math Hoops Global Championship wrapped up Friday, June 28 at the NBA office in New York City with an electric final game featuring Camila Ramirez (San Antonio Spurs Math Hoops presented by Whataburger) and Ileana Mora-Gomez (Pacers Sports and Entertainment Math Hoops presented by Lilly Foundation), versus Landon Duhn (Iowa sponsored by Harrison and Brittany Barnes) and Elliana Saeteurn (Sacramento Kings Math Hoops presented by NBC Sports).
Learn Fresh and MLB Players Trust are proud to announce the student selections for the 2024 MLB Players STEM League Global Championship. This year’s event will be held July 13-16 in Arlington, TX in conjunction with MLB All-Star Week, and will feature participants drawn from STEM League programs across the U.S. and Latin America.
Student competition combines math skills and NBA game and player stats
Thanks to strategic partnerships with non-profit partners, NBA Math Hoops will now be offered year-round to youth enrolled in summer programs once the school year ends.
Camila will be representing Spurs Math Hoops in NYC.
Learn Fresh today announced the student and educator selections for the 2024 NBA Math Hoops Global Championship. The Global Championship–the flagship event of the NBA Math Hoops program–will take place June 25-28 in New York, NY during NBA Draft week, and will be co-hosted by Learn Fresh and NBA Cares.
“Our partnership with NBA Math Hoops has been phenomenal and a real benefit to young kids on their learning journey. We look forward to many more years of working together and bringing fun into the class room through the game of basketball.” - Barbara Bush, Vice President of Social Responsibility
In a collaborative endeavor to reshape the landscape of STEM education and academic achievement for students, Learn Fresh proudly acknowledges the pivotal partnership forged in 2023 with the Longwood Foundation. With their generous commitment of $350,000 over two years, the Longwood Foundation has been instrumental in propelling the expansion of our NBA Math Hoops program across Delaware.
We are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of EcoTour, our latest initiative aimed at empowering students with environmental and financial literacy skills. Set to launch in the fall of 2024, EcoTour represents a groundbreaking fusion of entertainment, sustainability, and education designed to inspire the next generation of changemakers.
The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury today announced the rebranding of Phoenix Suns Charities to Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation. The newly renamed foundation, which recognizes both the Suns and Mercury’s community efforts, will award its first series of significant grants to seven nonprofit organizations in Arizona.
The 2023 MLB Players STEM League Global Championship wrapped up Tuesday, July 12th after a weekend of competition, learning, and home runs in Seattle.
"2022 represented a year of transformation for Learn Fresh. Since our founding over ten years ago, our organization has always represented a bigger vision to engage students through their passions outside of the classroom. We have always seen Learn Fresh as something that represents more than just one sport, industry, or product. I am proud to say that we are achieving significant steps to bring this vision to life."
In late June, a group of 24 students from the U.S. and Australia had the opportunity to attend the 2023 NBA Math Hoops Global Championship. The students and their families received an all-expenses paid trip to New York for the two-day event, which included a visit to the Liberty Science Center, a tour of Madison Square Garden and a NBA Math Hoops board game competition.
The 2023 NBA Math Hoops Global Championship wrapped up Saturday, June 24th at Madison Square Garden with an electric final game featuring Ashton Sanders (Detroit Pistons) and Anabelle Strauss (Cleveland Cavaliers) versus Genevieve Koberstein (Denver Nuggets) and Jordyn Ma (Utah Jazz).
Learn Fresh and MLB Players Trust are proud to announce the student selections for the 2023 MLB Players STEM League Global Championship. This year’s event, the first ever Global Championship in program history, will be held July 9-11th in Seattle, Washington in conjunction with MLB All-Star Week, and will feature participants drawn from STEM League programs across the U.S. and Latin America.
Learn Fresh tipped off a partnership with the Charlotte Hornets this year to bring NBA Math Hoops programming to students across Charlotte, North Carolina.
Learn Fresh today announced the student selections for the 2023 NBA Math Hoops Global Championship. The Global Championship–the flagship event of the NBA Math Hoops program and formerly the NBA Math Hoops National Championship–will include international students for the first time in program history, including attendees from Johannesburg, South Africa and Melbourne, Australia. The event will take place June 21-24 in New York, NY during NBA Draft week, and will be co-hosted by Learn Fresh and NBA Cares.
According to ILEARN scores, only 19.5% of IPS students were proficient in math in 2022. In an effort to improve this statistic, the Pacers Foundation have partnered with Learn Fresh to offer NBA Math Hoops, which uses basketball to teach math skills to students in a fun and engaging way. By incorporating the program into the curriculum, students have the opportunity to improve their math skills while also developing teamwork and physical activity skills.
By combining basketball and math in a fun and engaging way, NBA Math Hoops is helping to inspire a love of learning and build critical math skills in students across the country. In this recent article from Chalkbeat, teacher Jacob Gregory of McKinley Elementary in Indianapolis shares his story of working with the program and the significant growth in math scores among his students.
This week, Learn Fresh partnered with the Sacramento Kings and NBC Sports to host a Kings Math Hoops Live Event and Career Conversation for students at Golden 1 Center.
Learn Fresh and MLB Players Trust concluded the inaugural season of MLB Players STEM League programming in November with championship tournaments in Colombia through a partnership with Project Béisbol.
The independent Academics’ Choice Awards program and its seal of excellence are recognized worldwide by consumers and educational institutions as a mark of genuinely effective learning tools.
Middle school mathletes Julie Mendez and Jesiret Salvatierra could never have imagined they would have the chance to travel on an all-expense-paid trip to a major U.S. city, meet professional athletes, and compete against students like them from across the country. Fortunately, someone imagined it for them.
Learn Fresh partnered with Berdon, the Mets, and the Amazin’ Mets Foundation for the second year in a row to bring New York City middle school students Math Hits, an insightful summer education program focusing on STEM and social-emotional learning while leveraging students’ passions for sports and entertainment to make learning fun.
For 37 years, Charlotte Hornets president Fred Whitfied has poured time, resources, and experience into his annual basketball school, Achievements Unlimited, aimed at student achievement. The experience includes fundamental basketball skills, an educational component through the game NBA Math Hoops, along with drug awareness education.
Launched in partnership with the MLB Players Trust, the MLB Players STEM League is a new baseball-inspired Learn Fresh program for middle-school age youth.
The 2022 NBA Math Hoops National Championship came to a close on Sunday with a thrilling final game between Krish Veluthakkal and Jasmine Rodriguez, representing the Golden State Warriors, and Edward McLellan (Seattle Storm) and Jude Hedeen (Portland Trail Blazers).
Intermediate School student Jayden Pryor was selected out of 150,000 students to compete next month in the NBA Math Hoops National Championship in Philadelphia.
Learn Fresh is proud to announce today the student selections for the 2022 NBA Math Hoops National Championship. The event will take place June 10-12 in Philadelphia, and will be co-hosted by Learn Fresh, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Sixers Youth Foundation.
The Thunder and Devon Energy held an NBA Math Hoops Tournament to deliver fun and promote STEM initiatives.
The STEM.org Authenticated trustmark allows consumers to quickly identify resources that meet vetted STEM standards, helping educators and parents find products that are rigorous and effective.
Several NBA teams are helping generate educational opportunities for students. The Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings are the latest teams to open NBA Math Hoops training sessions this year. The program aims to teach fundamental math skills through basketball.
The grant will fund a prototype of the EcoTour game experience in advance of a pilot program in Spring 2022. Through the game experience, students will work to design and plan a North American tour for their favorite musical artist while exploring all aspects of the tour planning process, from route selection and creative design to budgeting.
This inaugural cohort is a group of current and former professional athletes who have reached the highest levels of their sport while maintaining a commitment to their communities.
Learn Fresh is partnering with the Shelden Williams Foundation to launch NBA Math Hoops in Atlanta Public Schools!
Learn Fresh has teamed up with Sacramento Republic FC of the United Soccer League and SMUD to launch “STEM Goals” — a soccer-based STEM game
Learn Fresh CEO & Co-Founder Nick Monzi has been honored as one of 23 finalists for the Elevate Prize.
July 2021 - Our ongoing collaboration with the New Orleans Pelicans and Chevron was featured in Forbes, following the activation of our first Chevron-sponsored tournament featuring students in Louisiana and Texas! Read on to learn how NBA Math Hoops is inspiring students across the Gulf Region.
Our fellowship invites educators and curriculum writers of color to create standards-aligned curricula that authentically represent the cultural, ethnic, and racial identities of their communities. Four outstanding educators were selected as a part of the inaugural class.
Education nonprofits across the sector have had to adjust significantly in the face of the pandemic. Learn Fresh CEO Nick Monzi joins other leaders from the field to share perspective on the current and future needs of the out-of-school STEM space, and context for our successful 2020 pivot.
Learn Fresh CEO Nick Monzi and CAO Calvin Sibert joined Dr. Deborah Stroman, a current member of the Learn Fresh board, to share more about their origin stories and the impact of NBA Math Hoops. Listen to gain insight and understanding of the work from two of the organization's leaders.
To start the new school year, The Philadelphia Citizen profiled the Sixers Math Hoops community program and our broader vision for impact across the education sector. The Sixers program is the largest and most thoroughly supported regional initiative in the country.
This fall, we are opening applications for the first cohort of Learn Fresh educator fellows. The opportunity is available to educators of color who are passionate about the creation of inclusive curricula. Applications are due by October 30, and can be accessed at the link below.
The Learn Fresh team recently wrapped up the first virtual Pelicans Math Hoops tournament, including families from New Orleans and Metairie, LA! Check out the tournament recap video at the link below.
Learn Fresh was selected as a 2020 Project Play Champion by the Aspen Institute, for our ambitious plans to continue nationwide scale over the next three years. Other 2020 champions include the Detroit Red Wings, Miami Dolphins, and LA Dodgers Foundation.
AT&T has committed an additional $250,000 to Learn Fresh, in support of expanded development for the NBA Math Hoops mobile app. Learn Fresh will release updates throughout the summer and fall, which will extend the app's content to thoroughly serve grades K-8.
NBA Math Hoops was honored with two awards at the Reimagine Education Awards in London in early December, winning a Regional Gold Award as the premier education program in North America, as well as a Silver Award for “Cultivating Curiosity”.
Our CEO, Nick Monzi, was selected as a Gratitude Network fellow through the 2020 Changemakers For Children program. The award recognizes his work building the Learn Fresh community program model across the country.
David Stern was an early and passionate advocate for the growth of NBA Math Hoops and its integration with teams and communities across the league.
The Houston Rockets, with support from Chevron, are one of the most recent teams to add NBA Math Hoops to their community initiatives.
The Seattle Storm Math Hoops program, the first such experience supported by a WNBA team, hosted a Math Hoops Live Event with Storm players Sami Whitcomb and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis.
The Pistons and Flagstar Bank hosted events throughout the year to support Math Hoops, including a Michigan Science Center field trip, a tournament, and a surprise send-off for their Math Hoops National Championship participant!
The New Orleans Pelicans and Chevron congratulate a Boys and Girls Club student, who will be representing the Pelicans at the NBA Math Hoops National Championship.
In our journey to revolutionize STEM education and promote sustainability, Learn Fresh has been privileged to forge impactful partnerships with organizations that share our vision for a brighter future. Among these allies stands AMETEK, Inc., a global leader in industrial technology solutions, whose support in 2023 has significantly advanced our mission and expanded our reach.
Through the Million Girls Moonshot initiative, STEM Next Opportunity Fund has provided invaluable support to Learn Fresh, propelling our mission to make STEM learning engaging and accessible, particularly within after school environments.
March 18th, 2025 – Learn Fresh and GameChanger, the #1-rated youth sports app for live streaming, scheduling, statistics, and scorekeeping, have selected 50 educational sites nationwide to receive a NBA Math Hoops Live Kit, a physical activity edition of the NBA Math Hoops program. These kits, funded by GameChanger, aim to enhance students’ math skills through interactive physical play. Educators submitted applications this past fall, which were evaluated by Learn Fresh and GameChanger staff before final selections were made.
Philadelphia, PA – March 17th, 2025 – Boeing and Learn Fresh are joining forces to expand STEM education access for students across the greater Philadelphia region through the MLB Players STEM League. This program engages students in hands-on, sports-based learning, helping them develop critical problem-solving and analytical skills.
Learn Fresh and MLB Players Trust are excited to announce the student selections for the 2025 MLB Players STEM League Global Championship. This year’s event will be held from March 21-23 in Scottsdale, AZ, in conjunction with MLB’s spring training. It will feature participants from STEM League programs across the U.S. and Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Brazil.
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