READY™ to Inspire the Next Generation: Sparking STEM Curiosity Through Play
As part of WNBA All-Star festivities in Indianapolis, Indiana, Cummins READY™ teamed up with Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) and Learn Fresh to host a dynamic STEM-related event designed to ignite curiosity and confidence in girls. Held at the Boner Fitness & Learning Center, the event welcomed 75 elementary and middle school students from Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis, IU Girls STEM Institute, and Shepherd Community Center for an afternoon of hands-on learning, creativity, and fun.
The event brought STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to life through interactive activities. Volunteers from Cummins supported Learn Fresh team members as they guided students through a Math Hoops Live game - an active, high-energy edition of the flagship NBA Math Hoops program, combining learning with interactive physical play. Designed to build fundamental math skills and readiness in algebra, the basketball-themed game reflects Learn Fresh’s mission to inspire STEM learning through community, play, and rigorous exploration by tapping into students’ passion for sports and entertainment. Participants also constructed working models of a 2-cylinder Cummins engine using LEGO kits, where they learned basic engine mechanics and real-world applications.
Cummins READY is the company’s global education strategy advancing equitable, high-quality STEM education and lifelong learning opportunities in communities around the world. This event advances READY’s bold goal: to help at least one million learners and workers get on a pathway to education and career success by 2030. It also supports broader efforts to address gender disparities in STEM-related fields, where women remain significantly underrepresented. Research shows that 86% of girls and young women aspire to careers that help others¹ - a goal that STEM can fulfill when introduced in engaging, relatable ways.
“Our purpose is really to get them excited about STEM, to get them excited about the WNBA, and maybe in the future they’ll even think about pursuing a career in STEM.” - Danette Howard, Global Education Director, Corporate Responsibility at Cummins Inc.
As part of the experience, students received tickets to WNBA Live, along with various WNBA All-Star items and t-shirts. By connecting STEM to the excitement of sports and the power of math, Cummins and its partners are helping young girls envision themselves as tomorrow’s scientists, engineers, and innovators – one game, one model, and one spark of curiosity at a time.
Photo Credit: Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E)
1: Hinkelman, L. (2024). The Girls’ Index™: Girls & STEM Impact Report by Ruling Our eXperiences. Ruling Our eXperiences, Inc.