More than 500 students from local elementary schools cheered on the Worcester State Women’s Basketball team while also learning about math during the university’s 15th annual Math Madness on Jan. 8.
The annual event gives school children the opportunity to enhance their math skills by applying math concepts in the real-world setting of a basketball game. Students, ranging from kindergarten to 6th grade, from the May Street and Tatnuck Magnet Schools answered grade-appropriate math questions pertaining to statistics, scores, and averages while watching the game. During half-time, select students took to the court to take measurements of the court’s dimensions, assisted by university staff.
“Each year we look forward to hosting local school kids who get an opportunity to see some exciting basketball, work on math problems related to the game, and cheer on the Lancers!” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach Karen Tessmer. “It’s a great day to show off Worcester State to our neighbors and to get kids excited about school and athletics.”
This year, the Worcester State Lancers faced off against the Emerson Lions in a fierce match. The game started with a 3-pointer within the first 30 seconds of gameplay from team captain Katie Hurynowicz. The school children clearly favored the home team, getting up cheers of “Let’s go, Lancers! Let’s go!” and jumping up and down in their seats during close skirmishes on the court.
The Lancers lost their lead in the second quarter, and, after a close battle, the game ended with a final score of Lions 63, Lancers 51. The loss didn’t dampen spirits, though, as children lined up to high five the players after the game.
This connection between the Worcester State student-athletes and the school children is the most important part of the event, says Tessmer. “Our players have the opportunity to inspire young kids to achieve success as well as be role models for young girls,” she said.
Members of the Worcester State community, including current students and alumni, also turned out to see the game and enthusiastically cheer on the Lancers. Some of those alumni are teachers at the visiting schools. Tessmer said, “It is fun to see our own Worcester State students and alums who are working at the local schools either as full-time teachers or student-teachers, who share in the pride and excitement of bringing their students to campus and showing off our wonderful facilities and all we have to offer!”
Photo by Nancy Sheehan
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