! Mathematics is a critically-important subject in school. Sometimes it can be difficult to digest, so what's the best way help kids learn? Using football as a comprehension tool!
On Tuesday, the Texans launched the first Houston Texans Stats Challenge presented by Schlumberger at Bowie Middle School. The eight-week classroom program gives local middle school students the opportunity to participate in a fun, mathematics-based platform aimed toward helping students learn and sharpen their problem-solving skills through the game of football.
Four schools participated in a successful pilot program in 2015 and this year's publically-launched Houston Texans Stats Challenge was open to all Houston-area sixth grade middle school teachers and their classrooms.
Punter Shane Lechler and the Texans launched the first Houston Texans Stats Challenge presented by Schlumberger at Bowie Middle School, giving students the opportunity to learn math through football.
Over 250 schools are taking part, which will have an impact on over 31,000 students across Houston. By using gameday statistics to supplement weekly lessons, the Houston Texans and Schlumberger's program aims to positively impact performance in mathematics at the middle school level.
Students will also learn that the game of football reaches beyond the players on the field by being introduced to the responsibilities of front office staff, concessionaires, gameday workers and more.
"Today was outstanding," said Schlumberger North America President Stephanie Cox. "I was really overwhelmed by how enthusiastic the kids and teachers were, and I'm really, really proud to be a part of it. To be able to actually impact 30,000 kids in Houston has surpassed all of our expectations."
Texans President Jamey Rootes echoed similar sentiments.
"We are very proud to partner with Schlumberger and roll out the Stats Challenge," Rootes said. "It's a chance to take a skill that's so important, math, and layer in football and the Houston Texans and you saw the reaction. They are thrilled to have the opportunity to learn math through the game of football."
Texans punter Shane Lechler surprised the students and sat down for a Q&A session with Texans TV host Drew Dougherty and helped lead an entertaining math challenge where students raced to match Texans football stats with their proper integers. Students received mini footballs signed by Lechler, and the event concluded with a fun t-shirt toss.
"Shane Lechler is a great ambassador for our organization," Rootes said. "Being from Texas, these kids really do react to him and see what they could be in the future, whether it's an exceptional football or an exceptional person in business or in public service."
