We Believe in Ourselves: What 25 Students in Youngstown Taught Us About Confidence, Math, and Momentum

During a recent STEM Playbook Learning Lab, our team had the privilege of watching something powerful unfold in students: Confidence.

During our time with students, we learned arithmetic, strategy, and even better shooting form. In Youngstown, Ohio, 25 fourth and fifth-graders walked into a room and completed a strategy-based challenge using point-based targets to master several core STEM principles. They left thinking differently about themselves

Applied Strategy and Math

STEM Playbook’s mission is to provide students with opportunities to apply technical concepts through physical competition. For this session, students were divided into teams of five to navigate a high-stakes scoring challenge:

Point Calculation: Students used three targets—close (1 point), middle (3 points), and far (5 points)—to practice real-time arithmetic.

Risk Assessment: Teams debated whether to play it safe or take risks on high-value 5-point targets, acting as group strategists.

Physics in Motion: To maximize their scores, students experimented with and adjusted their technique based on velocity, force, and shooting angles.

The Outcome

One team, "The Goats," exemplified this approach by opting for a high-risk strategy based on collective belief. They successfully executed their plan by landing five 3-pointers and several 5-point baskets through precise technical adjustments.

Beyond the final score, every student in the program walked away having tested hypotheses, calculated real numbers, and experienced improvement through iteration. By connecting sports directly to science, we show students that math isn't abstract—it is a tool they can use to influence their own outcomes.

Through these labs, we continue to bridge the gap between curiosity and identity, helping students see themselves as the analysts, engineers, and leaders of the future.