Building on the five-year success of one of its flagship events, the NEOSTEM Ecosystem just announced the expansion of Score with STEM into a multi-event, multi-sport learning series in partnership with the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers, AHL Cleveland Monsters, and NBA G-League Cleveland Charge.

The expanded 2026 series will transform Cleveland’s most iconic sports experiences into hands-on STEM learning hubs — connecting thousands of students and families across Northeast Ohio to sustained, real-world science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) opportunities tied directly to the games they love.

“The spirit of sports connects people through shared passion, teamwork, and the drive to grow — the very same traits that power curiosity and innovation in STEM,” said Taryn Federico, Director of NEOSTEM. “By linking learning to what students care about — basketball, hockey, and community — we’re turning that spark of excitement into confidence, career skills, and opportunity.”

The Score with STEM: Spring 2026 series will include STEM-focused game days with the Cavaliers at Rocket Arena, the Monsters at Rocket Arena, and the Charge at Cleveland Public Hall. Each event will feature interactive exhibits, classroom-to-courtside STEM activities, and demonstrations that connect math, physics, data analytics, and engineering to live sports.

Meeting the Moment: STEM + Sports = Ohio’s Future

The expansion comes at a pivotal time for Ohio’s economy. By 2032, the state is expected to need more than 540,000 new STEM and technical workers to sustain growth in advanced manufacturing, health sciences, and emerging technologies. Yet, fewer than 50% of Ohio 8th graders currently score proficient in math or science, signaling a growing need for hands-on, relevant learning experiences.

“Ohio’s future workforce depends on how well we connect learning to real life,” said Alyssa Briggs, President & CEO, STEM Playbook, a key Score with STEM implementation partner and sponsor. “This partnership uses the universal language of sports to engage families, inspire students, and strengthen the pipeline of STEM talent that fuels our region’s innovation economy.”

To deepen impact and extend learning beyond game day, NEOSTEM will leverage STEM Playbook’s standards-aligned, sports-based curriculum to provide STEM Game Kits to classrooms leading up to each event. These kits help teachers and students explore data, physics, and problem-solving before and after attending games — ensuring that learning continues long after the final buzzer.

In 2025, Score with STEM reached more than 1,500 families in a single day. In 2026, the initiative is projected to engage over 30,000 students, families, and fans across multiple events and sports — making it one of the region’s most impactful STEM outreach efforts to date.

How to Get Involved

Sponsorship opportunities for Score with STEM 2026 are now open for corporate and community partners who want to expand access to STEM education and career exploration for students across Northeast Ohio.

To learn more or become a sponsor, visit neostem.org/score-with-stem or email info@neostem.org 

About NEOSTEM

The NEOSTEM Ecosystem is a dynamic network of schools, businesses, higher education institutions, and community partners working together to make Northeast Ohio a national model for STEM education and workforce development. Since 2014, NEOSTEM has connected thousands of students to meaningful STEM learning opportunities, career pathways, and hands-on programs that prepare them to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

About Cleveland Cavaliers    

The Cleveland Cavaliers, founded in 1970, are a professional basketball team in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. The Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Championship in 2016 while also taking the Eastern Conference crown in 2007, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Known for their community support, workplace diversity and local economic impact, the team plays at Rocket Arena in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Both the Cavaliers and Rocket Arena are part of Rock Entertainment Group, the umbrella entity of sports and entertainment properties under the Dan Gilbert ROCK Family of Companies. The Cavaliers and Rocket Arena provide fans with the best experience in the NBA with an extensive and stunning array of amenities, technology and signature, electrifying game presentation. Dan Gilbert is Chairman of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Nic Barlage is the Cavaliers, Rocket Arena and Rock Entertainment Group CEO, and the Cavaliers team is led by President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman, General Manager Mike Gansey and Head Coach Kenny Atkinson.