In a bid to grow the next generation of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) professionals, 49ers EDU has announced that the SAP Executive Huddle — an SAP data analytics software that provides real-time data visualisations spanning multiple data sources — will be integrated into the organisation’s curriculum.
The long-standing partnership between the US National Football League franchise San Francisco 49ers and SAP started back in September 2012 when the German enterprise software giant was first announced as a founding partner of the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. As the team’s official business solutions provider and analytics partner, SAP supports the 49ers’ year-round operations by enabling the organisation to run better in all business aspects.
In October 2018, the two companies debuted the SAP Executive Huddle — a connected stadium system designed to help improve how the team captures, reports, and responds to game-day operations at the stadium. The SAP data analytics software allows the business strategy team to visualise real-time data across all areas of stadium operations, further optimising processes and improving the fan experience. This initiative, completed in just a span of six months, led the 49ers to win the Digital Trailblazer category at the 2019 SAP Innovation Awards.
Recently, the organisations have once again worked closely to utilise the SAP Executive Huddle, not only in enhancing the game-day experience for fans but also in developing the next generation of STEAM professionals. 49ers EDU is the first professional sports organisation to adopt the STEAM learning principles for the youth and provide on-site free programming. Following three years of intensive planning, it has partnered with the tech giant on a number of initiatives that will integrate data science and analytics, including math vocabulary and concepts, into the 49ers EDU curriculum.
49ers EDU Utilises SAP Data Analytics Software in Developing STEAM Professionals
The 49ers EDU Virtual Lesson Series is an extension of the curriculum’s in-person services, bringing the Levi’s Stadium field trip experience to students in a distance learning format. According to the organisation, SAP will send company representatives as lecturers to better explain the topic for students and demonstrate what data science professions would entail in the future. Commenting on the latest partnership, Jesse Lovejoy, Director of 49ers EDU, said:
“We have one of the best tools in the world to visualise data science, so we think it makes perfect sense to partner with SAP and use the Executive Huddle to teach students how important, and fun, these topics really are. Having support from such a well-known partner like SAP really helps with creating material that will be respected and compelling for learners across the region.”
Meanwhile, educators who register for the 49ers EDU Virtual Lessons featuring SAP will receive a recorded introductory video that will prepare them for their live teaching. This program will also be available on-demand, allowing students and families to learn about math and data science on their own time.
Additionally, the 49ers EDU STEAM Education Field Trip Program will expand upon its resumption by letting high school students register for the first time. An employee from 49ers or SAP will be present for all field trips to the SAP Executive Huddle to give first-hand knowledge using the technology.
Moreover, the 49ers and SAP also teamed up earlier this year to join the Data Science for Everyone coalition. The two companies committed to elevating the relevance of data literacy through their work by engaging industry leaders, schools, governments, funders, and individuals. They have announced plans to launch a new data science course by next year that will feature data modules centered on using football data to make data science more relevant to students.
Max Wessel, Chief Learning Officer at SAP, maintained:
“SAP is committed to building the digital skills of the next generation. By partnering with 49ers EDU to design a curriculum that inspires exploration of data science and analytics, we hope to create opportunities for all learners — no matter their future career paths.”
