MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx will host “STEM Fest,” in partnership with Microsoft on Tuesday, May 23 at 5:00 p.m. CT (doors open at 4:45 p.m.) prior to Minnesota’s game vs. the Atlanta Dream at Target Center (tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT).
The night will explore the intersection of STEM and basketball with a focus on increasing access to STEM opportunities and inspiring more youth, especially girls, to pursue STEM interests. Featured programming will include:
STEM x Basketball Fireside Chat: Minnesota Lynx President of Business Operations Carley Knox will moderate a discussion with Lynx Data Scientist Maddie Schiller and Microsoft’s Darrell Booker, an executive with Microsoft’s Philanthropy division. Booker created and leads one of the company’s most important racial equity commitments designed at bringing tech innovation, skilling and career awareness to underserved communities. They will discuss how STEM is ingrained in basketball and how it has impacted and advanced the game. They’ll also explore the future of STEM and the vast opportunities that youth can pursue today.
“STEM is very much an integral part of powering every industry including sports,” said Booker. “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Lynx for the STEM Fest as this fully aligns with Microsoft’s mission of digitally skilling our youth for jobs of the future.”
“STEM is pivotal to all things Lynx basketball and business operations,” said Knox. “It’s incredibly important for us to encourage youth of color and more girls and women to pursue STEM fields in order to diversify the industry. This night offers the unique opportunity for youth to see how they can combine their love of sports and STEM into future career opportunities. We are thankful for this partnership with Microsoft to showcase the connection between STEM and basketball.”
Microsoft Atrium Takeover will feature:
- Girls Make Beats: DJ Marley will be spinning in the atrium.
- Coding Games on Microsoft Tablets
- Minecraft Stations
- Beats-Making Station
Lynx Business Intelligence Department: interactive and educational dashboards including coding and a robot maze.
Dunwoody College of Technology and Code Savvy, a Minnesota non-profit organization helping kids and educators become more “code savvy” through creative educational programs and services will participate with unique kid-friendly booths.
Xcel Energy: meet Xcel Energy’s drone team and watch demos.
Those with a ticket to the game can explore all interactive booths in the atrium and concourse and can attend the featured panel discussion.
Single game tickets for all Lynx home games for the team’s 25th season presented by Mayo Clinic are available for purchase at: www.lynxbasketball.com/tickets or by calling 612-673-8400.